ABSTRACT
A middle-range theory of heart failure self-care, derived from the self-care deficit theory of nursing, was tested among 175 Arab American older adults with heart failure. The middle-range theory achieved good statistical fit, but not all hypothesized relationships were supported. Specifically, conceptualizing basic conditioning factors as a single latent variable was not supported. However, individual factors of depression, social support, and time living with heart failure had a direct effect on both self-care agency and quality of life. Understanding predictors and outcomes of self-care within a theoretical framework is essential in caring for patients with heart failure.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Self Care , Aged , Heart Failure/therapy , Humans , Quality of Life , Social SupportABSTRACT
Middle-range nursing theories provide a bridge between the more abstract grand nursing theories, research, and clinical practice. As such, middle-range nursing theories derived from extant nursing theories are critical for developing and advancing both nursing science and practice. This paper describes the strategy used in developing a middle-range theory of heart failure self-care. After integrating theoretical and empirical literature, a hypothetico-deductive approach was used to develop the middle-range theory of heart failure self-care from Orem's theory of self-care. Theoretical substruction was used to provide a graphic representation of the conceptual-theoretical-empirical structure demonstrating the congruence between the theoretical and operational systems.
