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Personhood: An evolutionary concept analysis for nursing ethics, theory, practice, and research
Author(s) -
Sofronas Marianne,
Wright David Kenneth,
Carnevale Franco A.
Publication year - 2018
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/nuf.12267
Subject(s) - personhood , nursing theory , epistemology , antecedent (behavioral psychology) , nursing literature , sociology , psychology , nursing , medicine , medline , social psychology , philosophy , law , alternative medicine , pathology , political science
Background The purpose of this concept analysis was to examine how the concept of personhood has been used in the nursing literature. The person is central to nursing, as the object of nursing work, or care, and a key element of theory. Health and illness confront conventional notions of personhood based on the Western philosophy, in delineating boundaries of life and death, and grappling with pathophysiological changes and alterations in capacities that challenge our understandings of what makes a person whole. Methods Rodgers’ evolutionary method was selected; it emphasizes the relationship between concepts, language, and communities of users. A literature search between 1950 and 2017 generated 760 articles; 54 were retained for analysis. Results Four themes were identified: (1) personhood and nursing ethics, emphasizing scientific advances, and establishing criteria; (2) personhood as a morally significant, relational process realized through nursing care; (3) personhood lost (or neglected); (4) interventions aimed at understanding, recognizing, and enhancing personhood. Related terms, antecedent concepts, and consequences are explored. Conclusions This preliminary view of personhood in the nursing literature demonstrated how the concept has been developed, used, and understood. Areas for future research include nursing ethics, theory, and clinical practice, as well as links with other academic disciplines.