Hildegard. E.

Peplau

Theory of Interpersonal Relations

• Born in 1909 in Pennsylvania.
• Graduated with a diploma from Pottstown
Hospital of Nursing in 1931.
• BA in interpersonal psychology - Bennington
College in 1943.
• MA in psychiatric nursing from Colombia
University New York in 1947.
• EdD in curriculum development in 1953
• Considered the mother of psychiatric nursing.
• Theory of Interpersonal Relations
 PHASES OF NURSE PATIENT
RELATIONSHIP
ORIENTATION PHASE
-a health problem has emerged that results in a
felt need and professional assistance is sought
WORKING PHASE
-the patient identifies those who can help and
the nurse permits exploration of feelings by the
patient.
-during this phase the nurse can begin to focus
the patient on the achievement of new goals.
• RESOLUTION PHASE
-is the time when the patient gradually adopts
new goals and frees himself or herself from
identification with the nurse.
Refinement of the theory over Peplau’s career
resulted in the following list of Nursing Roles
Teacher: the nurse provides knowledge about a
need or problem.
Resource: the nurse provides information to
understand a problem
Counselor: the nurse helps recognize, face,
accept, and resolve problems.
Leader: the nurse initiates and maintains group
goals through interaction.
Technical Expert: The nurse provides physical
care using clinical skills
Surrogate: The nurse may take the place of
another
The concept of PATTERN INTEGRATION
-identification of patterns within the
interpersonal relationship between two or more
persons that link or bind them and enable them
to transform energy into patterns of action that
bring satisfaction or security in the face of a
recurring problem
 Four Types of Integrating Patterns
Complementary: patterns occur when the
behavior of one person fits with and
complements the behavior of the other.
Mutual: patterns occur when the same or
similar behaviors are used by both persons.
Alternating:patterns occur when different
behaviors used by two persons alternate
between the two persons
Antagonistic patterns may occur if the behaviors
of two persons do not fit but the relationship
continues
METAPARADIGM
 PERSON
• Encompasses the patient( one who has
problems for which expert nursing services are
needed or sought) and the nurse ( a
professional with particular expertise.
ENVIRONMENT
• Forces outside the organism within the
context of culture.
HEALTH
Implies forward movement of personality and
other ongoing human processes in the direction
of creative, constructive, productive, personal
and community living
NURSING
-the therapeutic, interpersonal process between
the nurse and the patient.