subject: Roy Adaptation Model [print this page] Roy Adaptation Model Roy Adaptation Model
Roy adaptation model has been in practice since 1970. It combines issue of adaptations processes and the component of the systems in nursing practices. Roy has a unique picture of human beings in the form of sets of interrelated systems and these systems were further seen as individual, family, group which is biological, psychological or social in nature. Human being is struggling to create and maintain equilibrium of these systems and the surrounding environment. Individual will only survive in an environment in which he is adapted to. The level in which an individual get adapted is not absolute but ranges with how one cope with new experiences.
Definitions
Definition of the terms person, health, illness, nursing and environment is as follows. According to Roy, Person refers to an adaptive open system and the system has input classified as focal stimuli, contextual stimuli and residual which are either within or outside the system. Another system input is the range of adaptation in response to the stimuli. Roy defined Health as a continuum of health and illness from state of wellness to death. The extent of health or illness of a system is predictable in human's lives. According to Roy, there was no clear distinct definition of health and illness. Roy defined nursing as a practice performed by nurses so that they can promote adaptation responses during times of health and illness to liberated energy from poor response to increase health and wellness of a patient. Environment according to Roy refers to all conditions, circumstances, and influences surrounding, influencing, and affecting the development and behavior of a person or group (Roy and Andrews, 1999).
Models of adaptation according to Roy
Roy based his arguments on four models of adaptation that will prop up integrity in an individual. The four models are a follows. Physiologic and physical adaptation model in which Roy argued that for individual to be physiologically and physically adapted there is need for sufficient supply of oxygen, well balanced diet , ability to eliminate waste products, sufficient physical activities and rest and the feeling of safety and protection. A person should also have normal and sound neural, endocrine and hormonal body function. The body should also have equilibrium in terms of body fluid and body electrolytes. In case of group adaptation the group members should be sufficient in number and each member should participate positively towards achieving common goals. They should share their productive talents with each other. They should ensure adequate availability of facilities and resources to support their work
Another model is the self-concept group identity adaptation. This adaptation occurs when a person is wholesome psychologically and spiritual. This helps individual to have sense of unity, purposefulness and meaning of living in this world. For the case of a group it develops sense of honesty in the way they relate to each other and how they share their opinions, value each other and strives together to achieve common goal.
There is the role function adaptation. It involves the use of different adaptive modes that will go together with the multiple roles which individual is expected to undertake. Individual will get adapted to different roles by applying different adaptive modes. For the case of a group, it implies that each member of the group will perform independent roles which will eventually lead them towards achieving common goals
The fourth model is the independence adaptation in which for the case of individual, a person should love and also be loved, a person should also involve in a relationship of which both parties are comfortable and the communication which a person is engaged to should be constructive. For the case of group, they should uphold the principles of collective responsibility to enable them get adequate basic need and every group member should be secure (Roy and Andrews, 1999).
Assumptions in the Roy adaptation model
Assumptions are ideas and belief that people hold to be true with little or no tangible evidence. There are also beliefs and ideas underlining Roy models of adaptation which are of great importance. These assumptions are classified into either scientific or philosophical assumptions. Broader perspectives of these assumptions are as follows:
Scientific Assumptions
In the scientific Assumptions of Roys adaptation models it is assumed that systems comprising of matter and energy will always grow to independent self organization or structures which are complex in nature. It also assumed that person and environment is dependent relative to the degree of awareness and significant an individual or a group is. It is also assumed that complete knowing of one's self and the surrounding environmental factors is deeply dependant on the individual thoughts and feelings. It is also assumed that decisions made by individual or group of people will eventually have impact on the incorporation of processes which are resourceful. There is also scientific assumption which states that what human beings think or feel will give direction on the action an individual or a group will take. Another important assumption is that the systems relates in different ways which includes through acceptance of different parts, need to protect and be protected and through nurturing the sense of independence. Another scientific assumption states that human beings and the earth which is the environment have patterns which are common to both and therefore can mutually interact. It is also assumed that any changes taking place in individual or in the environment are first created in the human perceptions before changes are effected. Scientific assumption also states that when human beings and environment integrates, both sides will learn the new changes, mutate and get adapted to the new experiences after which there will be normal operations on either side (Roy and Andrews, 1999).
Philosophical Assumptions
Under these assumptions, it is assumed that there is reciprocated relationship between people, world and the creator who is God. It is believed that the three parties in one way or the other is beneficial among themselves. It is also believed by the philosophers that the significance meaning of human beings draws its pedigree from the omega point convergence of universe that is the point of final convergence
Other philosophers also assumed that God can be pictured from the range of his creations of diversified nature in the world and that God is the common destination of all creations. They also assumed that human being uses their consciousness ability, enlightenment and their faith and confidence in their adaptive processes to cope up with new experiences. Lastly philosophers have a belief that persons are responsible to come up with new ideas, protect and create sustainability to change and transform the world to the next level (Dave, 2009).
