Premium
Concept Analysis of Human Ecology
Author(s) -
Huynh Truc,
Alderson Marie
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
nursing forum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.618
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1744-6198
pISSN - 0029-6473
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6198.2009.00134.x
Subject(s) - psycinfo , reciprocal , cinahl , human ecology , ecology , perspective (graphical) , systems ecology , sociology , applied ecology , medline , psychology , computer science , biology , artificial intelligence , biodiversity , philosophy , biochemistry , linguistics
Human ecology is an umbrella concept encompassing several social, physical, and cultural elements existing in the individual's external environment. The pragmatic utility method was used to analyze the “human ecology” concept in order to ascertain the conceptual fit with nursing epistemology and to promote its use by nurses in clinical practice. Relevant articles for the review were retrieved from the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and CSA databases using the terms “human ecology,”“environment,”“nursing,” and “ecology.” Data analysis revealed that human ecology is perceived as a theoretical perspective designating a complex, multilayered, and multidimensional system, one that comprises individuals and their reciprocal interactions with their global environments and the subsequent impact of these interactions upon their health. Human ecology preconditions include the individuals, their environments, and their transactions. Attributes of this concept encompass the characteristics of an open system (e.g., interdependence, reciprocal).