A situation-specific theory of Caucasian cancer patients' pain experience

Theory Development Process of Situation-Specific Theories

The purpose of this analysis was to determine the development process of situation-specific theories that were published in refereed journals. Fifteen situation-specific theories were retrieved through multiple databases and included in this analysis. Four themes reflecting the commonalties and differences in the theorizing process were extracted: (a) multiple, but no homogeneous steps; (b) various combinations of induction and deduction through unique strategies; (c) deduction from all types of theories/theoretical works; and (d) the use of multiple theories and/or multiple studies. On the basis of the findings, directions for future theoretical development in nursing were proposed.

Resilience in Koreans With Cancer: Scoping Review

Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Korea. However, there has been no previous nursing literature review on the phenomenon of resilience among cancer patients in Korea. The purpose of this study was to identify information about theories, instruments, correlates, and outcomes of resilience in the cancer experiences of Korean adults. This was a scoping review that searched Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, DBpia, and the Korean Studies Information Service System between 2000 and 2016 in order to identify English and Korean research reports. The review yielded 17 quantitative studies, including 2 resilience theories and 6 resilience-specific instruments. The factors self-efficacy, hope, social supports, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression were associated with resilience, regardless of the type of cancer. Quality of life and coping were commonly investigated outcome variables for resilience. This review suggests that a nursing theory reflecting Korean culture and qualitative research concerning the phenomenon of resilience should be conducted as research priorities as the foundation for developing culturally appropriate tools for resilience. This will lead to enhanced quality of life among Korean cancer patients, which is the core of palliative nursing care.

The status quo of situation-specific theories

The purpose of this article is to explore the status quo of situation-specific theories through an integrated literature review on situation-specific theories that have been published since 1999. The literature was searched through multiple databases including PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO and analyzed in terms of purpose of theorizing, types of theorizing, sources of theorizing, and linkages to research or practice. Four themes reflecting the current status of situation-specific theories were extracted: (a) explicitly claimed and not explicitly claimed situation-specific theories; (b) multiple philosophical bases; (c) unique theorizing process; and (d) providing clear directions for nursing interventions but rarely evaluated. Nurses need to continuously make their efforts to develop theoretical bases that could closely link theory, research, and practice in nursing and that could adequately serve new nursing needs and challenges.

The situation-specific theory of pain experience for Asian American cancer patients

Studies have indicated the need for theories that explain and target ethnic-specific cancer pain experiences, including those of Asian Americans. In this article, I present a situation-specific theory that explains the unique cancer pain experience of Asian Americans. Unlike other existing theories, this situation-specific theory was developed on the basis of evidence, including a systematic literature review and research findings, making it comprehensive and highly applicable to research and practice with Asian American patients with cancer. Thus, this theory would strengthen the interconnections among theory, evidence, and practice in pain management for Asian American cancer patients.