What Makes A Good Theory Psychology?

A good theory in the theoretical sense is (1) consistent with empirical observations ; is (2) precise, (3) parsimonious, (4) explanatorily broad, and (5) falsifiable; and (6) promotes scientific progress (among others; Table 1.1).

Contents

1 What are the qualities of a good theory in psychology?
2 What makes a theory good or bad?
- - 2.0.1 What are the three elements of a good theory?
  - 2.0.2 What are the three criteria for best theory?
- 2.1 What are the criteria of a good theory as they apply to Freud?
3 What are the 5 criteria of theory?
4 What are the 6 types of theory?
5 What are the three elements of a good theory?
6 What are the three criteria for best theory?

What are the qualities of a good theory in psychology?

Abstract – What makes a theory useful? Whether one is evaluating and investigating one’s own or another’s theory, there are some useful lessons to keep in mind. One lesson is that the reason a “good” theory should be testable, be coherent, be economical, be generalizable, and explain known findings is that all of these characteristics serve the primary function of a theory-to be generative of new ideas and new discoveries.

Other lessons concern how to develop a theory (whether one’s own or an adopted one). One lesson is to know what the theory is and what it is not-don’t make it into something else either by “improving” it or by unfairly dismissing it. Know the theory’s domain of applicability-do test its limits but don’t overextend it.

Know when the theory makes a prediction and when it does not-know when it is simply silent. This article concludes by offering the metaphor that the lessons for developing a theory to make it useful have a lot in common with good parenting. For example: Neither spoil nor abuse the theory; neither neglect nor abandon it; support and nurture the theory; don’t overprotect it but do defend it; be patient with the theory-don’t push it too hard or too fast; and finally, don’t forget to love and enjoy it.

What determines a good theory?

Good theories are: Real (based on a compelling, experienced issue, insight, or empirical problem) Simple (as simple as possible given the realities of what is being explained)

What are the 6 components of a good theory?

5.2. What Makes a Good Theory? Brian Fedorek Numerous criminological theories attempt to explain why people commit a crime. What makes one better than another? How do we judge theories against each other? The natural and physical sciences mostly agree on the knowledge of their disciplines.

However, criminology is interdisciplinary, and many criminologists may not agree on what causes criminal behavior. For instance, Cooper, Walsh, and Ellis (2010) have looked at the political ideology of criminologists and their preferred or favored theories. Even one’s political leanings can influence a person’s set of beliefs about the causes of crime.

We must apply the scientific criteria to test our theories. Akers and Sellers (2013) have established a set of criteria to judge criminological theories: logical consistency, scope, parsimony, testability, empirical validity, and usefulness. Logical consistency is the basic building block of any theory.

It refers to a theory’s ability to “make sense”.
Is it logical? Is it internally consistent? A theory’s scope refers to its range, or ranges, of explanations.
Does it explain crimes committed by males AND females? Does it explain ALL crimes or just property crime? Does it explain the crime committed by ALL ages or just juveniles? Better theories will have a wider scope or a larger range of explanation.

A parsimonious theory is concise, elegant, and simple. There are not too many constructs or hypotheses. Simply put, parsimony refers to a theory’s “simplicity”. A good scientific theory needs to be testable too. It must be open to possible falsification.

Every genuine test of a theory is an attempt to falsify it or to refute it.
Testability is falsifiability; but there are degrees of testability: some theories are more testable, more exposed to refutation than others; they take, as it were, greater risksOne can sum up all this by saying that the criterion of the scientific status of a theory is its falsifiability, or refutability, or testability” (Popper, 1965, pp.36-37).

After many tests and different approaches to research, those theories supported by evidence have empirical validity. Thus, according to Gibbs (1990), the verification or repudiation of a given theory through empirical research is the most important principle to judge a theory.

Finally, all theories will suggest how to control, prevent, or reduce crime through policy or program.
The premise of a particular theory will guide policy-makers.
For example, if a theory suggested that juveniles learn how to commit crime through a network of delinquent peers, policymakers will try to identify juveniles at-risk for joining delinquent subcultures.

: 5.2. What Makes a Good Theory?

What are the four components of a good theory?

All four major elements of a good theory – philosophical, descriptive, prescriptive, and evaluative – must be present for the theory to have much positive benefit in a counselling situation.

What are the 7 criteria for good theory?

To be good theory, a theory must follow the virtues (criteria) for `good’ theory, including uniqueness, parsimony, conservation, generalizability, fecundity, internal consistency, empirical riskiness, and abstraction, which apply to all research methods.

What are the 2 components of a good theory?

Theory explains how some aspect of human behavior or performance is organized. It thus enables us to make predictions about that behavior. The components of theory are concepts (ideally well defined) and principles, A concept is a symbolic representation of an actual thing – tree, chair, table, computer, distance, etc.

Construct is the word for concepts with no physical referent – democracy, learning, freedom, etc. Language enables conceptualization. A principle expresses the relationship between two or more concepts or constructs. In the process of theory development, one derives principles based on ones examining/questioning how things/concepts are related.

Concepts and principles serve two important functions :

1) They help us to understand or explain what is going on around us.2) They help us predict future events (Can be causal or correlational) Thats what theory is: the summary and synthesis of what is known about a field. It is the reduction of our knowledge to the basic ideas, presented in a way that shows their underlying patterns and relationships. (Moore, 1991:2)

A theory is a related set of concepts and principles

– about a phenomenon – the purpose of which is to explain or predict the phenomenon

What makes a theory good or bad?

Characteristics of a Good Scientific Theory – Hawking’s commentary on the scientific process is basically a discussion on what makes a good theory. Hawking highlights three characteristics that he says make a good scientific theory: 1. A good theory is consistent with past observations.

It should apply to a broad range of circumstances, with as few exceptions or qualifiers as possible. General relativity and quantum mechanics are examples of theories that apply to a wide variety of situations with very few exceptions. Specifically, the theory of general relativity can model the behavior of any set of large-scale objects interacting with gravitational forces.

Similarly, quantum mechanics can model the behavior of all kinds of subatomic particles interacting through electromagnetism and nuclear forces. The one exception where these theories can’t be used is when so much mass is concentrated in such a small space that you have to model gravitational interactions and nuclear interactions at the same time.2.

A good theory will correctly predict future observations.
A theory that doesn’t allow you to make predictions isn’t useful.
And if its predictions aren’t accurate, then the theory is probably wrong.3.
A good theory can be tested.
If the theory is wrong, you should be able to prove that it’s wrong by showing that its predictions are inconsistent with observable reality.

Hawking emphasizes that even one clear example of the theory failing is enough to disprove it. On the other hand, he says it’s generally impossible to prove that a theory is correct, because there could always be some exception that just hasn’t been discovered yet.

The Scientific Method For background, let’s consider an overview of the, a six-step process that often leads to the creation of new scientific theories. Step 1: Observe the world. Science is the study of the natural world. Step 2: Ask a question. This question serves to focus your study on explaining some aspect of the natural world. Step 3: Develop a hypothesis, or in some cases multiple hypotheses. Each hypothesis is a tentative answer to your question, based on your observations. Step 4: Test your hypothesis (or each of your hypotheses). Typically, you test a hypothesis by using it to make predictions. If your hypothesis is true, what does it imply about the natural world? What would you expect to observe if your hypothesis is true? Then you set up an experiment or make additional observations to see if they are consistent with your predictions. Step 5: Analyze the results. Did your observations match your predictions? If not, go back to step three and modify your hypothesis or come up with a different one. Step 6: If your hypothesis did allow you to make accurate predictions, continue testing it, and have other people test it to corroborate your results. A hypothesis that has been extensively tested and is widely accepted by the scientific community is called a theory. Historically, what we now call a “theory” was called a “law of nature,” “law of physics,” or just a “law,” so today the terms “law” and “theory” are functionally synonymous. However, there is no universal standard for just how extensively tested and how widely accepted a hypothesis has to be before it’s considered a theory. Thus, be aware that some people apply the term “theory” to a published hypothesis much sooner than others do. Also note that sometimes theories (and laws) achieve wide acceptance for a time, but later get disproven. This is where Hawking’s advice on qualities of a good theory comes to bear. If a theory is only accepted as applicable in certain cases because it can’t explain all the existing observations, or if new observations disagree with its predictions, then this implies that it doesn’t provide a very accurate description of the natural world. Similarly, if a theory can’t be tested because it doesn’t allow you to make predictions, then there’s no way of knowing if it’s accurate or not.

What Makes a Good Theory? 3 Traits It Must Have : What Makes a Good Theory? 3 Traits It Must Have

What are the three elements of a good theory?

Components of a Good Theory So perhaps you have an idea. It could be based on your own observations of people (the inductive method), or perhaps it’s based on theories that you’ve heard about (the deductive method), or even more likely, it’s a little bit of both.

How do we know if it’s a good or a bad hypothesis? (Your textbook covers this, so I’m going to be brief.) Remember way back to the beginning of this lesson (I know, it seems like forever ago).
I wrote out the definition of a hypothesis (“a specific and falsifiable prediction regarding the relationship between or among two or more variables”) and then told you that I’d come back to the specific and falsifiable part later.

It’s later now, so hear goes. The textbook mentions three things that denote a good hypothesis. It should be general, parsimonious, and falsifiable. Let’s start with general and parsimonious, because these terms actually combine (sort of) to create the “specific” requirement from the definition.

By saying that a hypothesis should be general I’m implying that it should apply to a wide variety of people and experiences. It’s not very useful to have a theory (or a hypothesis) that is only applicable on Tuesdays between 11:30 and 11:45am for left-handed people living on streets that have speed bumps.

I’m being a bit facetious, but the idea is that a theory is much more useful if it applies to a greater population across a wider range of situations. So a theory that applies to people who are left-handed would be much more inclusive and useful. (By the way there are many theories in psychology related to handedness.) Parsimonious means without excess.

When we talk about a parsimonious theory or hypothesis we are implying that the ideas are simple and straightforward.
Imagine a hypothesis that required a long list of exceptions (“It is predicted that A will cause B, except on Tuesdays, or if the person is taller than five foot three inches and B might cause A on Thursdays after lunch” Ok, I’m getting silly.) Combining the goal of being inclusive (being general) with the goal of being straightforward (parsimonious) a good researcher finds a balance related to specificity.

Too specific, you’re probably not general enough. Too broad, then you probably will need to include too many exceptions, and thus violate the “keep it simple” idea. Lastly, there is the notion that a good theory should be falsifiable. Here’s an example of a “bad” theory: “Eating ice cream is either healthy or it is unhealthy”.

Well my theory is general and parsimonious, but it’s also completely useless.
Why is it useless? Because it can never be wrong, and therefore although it can never be disproven it can’t help me to understand the world.
At this point you should complete Part 2 of the Assignment 2 Then go to the Lab folder and complete Lesson 2 Lab.

After you have finished that, you should read over the requirements for your first paper, Paper Assignment #1. Paper 1 is due at the end of this week. When you have finished with everything related to Lesson 2 you can move on and read the lesson 3 textbook reading assignment, and then read over the Lesson 3 Commentary.

What are the three criteria for best theory?

I call the three criteria consilience, simplicity, and analogy. The notion of consilience is derived from the writings of William Whewell.

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What are the criteria of a good theory as they apply to Freud?

A good theory should be comprised of statements and ideas that can be tested and falsified. In this criteria, Freudian psychoanalysis performs poorly. Many of its central concepts (e.g., the ego, the id) are not falsifiable. Its ability to organize knowledge.

What are the 5 criteria of theory?

Conclusão: – este estudo poderá contribuir para indicar o uso da Teoria da Tristeza Crônica e respaldar a assistência de enfermagem na promoção de estratégias eficazes e, consequentemente, melhorar o conforto de pacientes e de suas famílias no enfrentamento da tristeza crônica.

DESCRITORES: Enfermagem; Teoria de enfermagem; Tristeza; Luto; Cuidados paliativos Contemporary nursing is challenged by the significant growth of technology, biosciences and globalization, which impact not only on its practice but also on education.1 1. Greenway K, Butt G, Walthall H. What is a theory-practice gap? An exploration of the concept.

Nurse Educ Pract,2018 ;34(2):1-6. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2018.10.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2018.10.0. It is considered as a profession that takes care of people, their family and the community, in several situations related to health.

This care also involves action planning, and this requires the application of knowledge and skills to provide effective care. To maintain an appropriate balance between theory and practice, nurses need to be up-to-date in relation to the field of knowledge and action.2 2. Ajani K, Moez S. Gap between knowledge and practice in nursing.

Procedia Soc Behav Sci,2011 ;15:3927-31. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.04.396 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.04. For this, Nursing also needs to regularly use Theories in activities that involve the entire dimension of health care.

Theory is a set of statements or principles designed to explain a group of widely accepted facts or phenomena. It can be used to describe, explain, predict or prescribe responses, events or situations, in nursing care, 3 3. Meleis AI. Theoretical nursing: development and progress.5nd ed. Philadelphia (US): Lippincott William and Wilkins; 2012.

to describe the relationships and interactions that exist in the practice and to consolidate the profession as a science and art in the health field.4 4. Brandão MAG, Martins JSA, Peixoto MAP, Lopes ROP, Primo CC. Theoretical and methodological reflections for the construction of middle-range nursing theories.

Texto Contexto Enferm,2017 ;26(4):e1420017.
Available from: https:/doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072017001420017 https:/doi.org/10.1590/0104-070720170014.
The theories are multidimensional, consist of several tangible and intangible components and are relevant for the present and future practice, for research and for nursing teaching strategies.5 5.

Sitzman KL, Eichelberger LW. Understanding the work of nurse theorists: a creative beginning. research and theory for nursing practice understanding the work of nurse theorists.3rd ed. Sudbury, MA (US): Jones and Bartlett; 2017. A research study verified that nursing theories guided the practice in eastern and western countries.

Most used Orem’s self-care model, Roy’s adaptation model and Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations.
The effect of interventions guided by theories was evaluated in relation to improving quality of life, self-efficacy, self-care and stress in patients with chronic, acute, cardiac and psychological diseases.

The findings indicated that most nursing theories were developed in the United States, but they used to guide research studies and practices in other parts of the world, showing the cross-cultural usefulness of these theories.6 6. Younas A, Quennell S.

Usefulness of nursing theory-guided practice: an integrative review. Scand J Caring Sci,2019 ;33(3):540-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12670 https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12670. Nursing reflects holistic care carried out throughout life, in different care contexts, with the ability to offer efficient and good quality work to human beings at all phases of life: birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and the old age.

This care involves from prevention to assistance on the threshold between life and death, such as, for example, chronic diseases that threaten the continuation of life, which requires palliative care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), palliative care is an approach that aims to alleviate human suffering.

It is suitable for people suffering from chronic diseases that threaten the continuity of life, through early identification, impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems.
It also offers a support system to help the family deal with the patient’s disease and in their own grief.7 7.

World Health Organization, Integrating palliative care and symptom relief into the response to humanitarian emergencies and crises: a WHO guide. Geneva (CH): WHO; 2018. ; Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/274565/9789241514460-eng.pdf https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/hand.

Some examples of diseases for which palliative treatment is indicated include cancer, heart disease, severe respiratory disease, kidney failure, HIV/AIDS, chronic liver disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer.
Each year, 40 million people require palliative care; however, only 14% of them currently receive this care.7 7.

Palliative care is promoted by a multi-professional team, 6 6. Younas A, Quennell S. Usefulness of nursing theory-guided practice: an integrative review. Scand J Caring Sci,2019 ;33(3):540-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12670 https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12670. of which nurses are an essential members, as they promote comprehensive and humanized care to the patient, from the initial diagnosis of a pathology that threatens the continuity of life to finitude and support the family during the coping with the disease until the grieving process.

It is noteworthy that the nurse’s work influenced palliative care through the following actions: discovering and fighting the conspiracy of silence; helping patients under palliative care so that they can re-signify and redirect their lives; promoting collaborative approaches to care, manage pain and other symptoms; integrate anticipatory grief as part of patient and family-centered care, conducting research studies and educating nurses to fully satisfy their patients.8 8.

Wilkie DJ, Corless IB. Science and practice: contributions of nurses to end-of-life and palliative care. In: Stillion JM, Attig T. Death, Dying, and Bereavement Contemporary Perspectives, Institutions, and Practices. New York (US): Springer Publishing Company; 2014. Anticipatory grief is a response to the impending loss of life and identity, function, hopes and future plans, which causes anxiety, depression and hopelessness and implies the tension of communication in the families.9 9.

Esther LD, Frank PD, Geoffrey CBL, Gregory DB. Is higher acceptance associated with less anticipatory grief among patients in palliative care? J J Pain Symptom Manage,2017 ;54(1):120-5. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.03.012 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.20.

Thus, considering the relevance of the topic addressed for the nurse’s care practice and to put into practice the nursing care in the anticipatory grief process in palliative care, the need arose to identify Nursing theories that can guide the realization of this care so that the purposes that are intended to be achieved are substantiated in the theory chosen.

In this perspective, the Chronic Sorrow Theory stands out, which proposes effective coping strategies to deal with situations of loss resulting from a disease that threatens the continuity of life for the patient and their family.10 10. Burke ML, Hainsworth MA, Eakes GG, Lindgren CL.

Current knowledge and research on chronic sorrow: a foundation for inquiry. Death Studies,1992 ;16(3):231-45. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07481189208252572 https://doi.org/10.1080/0748118920825257. In the scientific literature, the Theory of Chronic Sorrow was first documented in 1998. It is a theoretical basis of Nursing not only for the experience of chronic sorrow in situations of loss, but also to face the phenomenon.

In addition, due to the increasing multiplicity and competences of nursing care, this theory has the ability to incorporate the complexity of modern nursing and to provide the basis for the contemporary nursing practice. The aim of this study was to analyze the Theory of Chronic Sorrow, following the model of analysis and evaluation of Nursing theories proposed by Fawcett.

The examination of this theory is justified due to the production of a critical description, with the aim of deepening understanding, improving its concepts and disseminating its proposals to the scientific community and the insertion in the clinical practice of nurses.11 11. Fawcett J. Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition.

Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013. Therefore, reflective analysis is of fundamental importance to be applied in the context of anticipatory grief in palliative care. This is a reflective study, based on the Mid-Range Nursing Theory of Chronic Sorrow and on research studies that used the theory as a reference.

In order to achieve the objective of the study, the Analysis and Evaluation Model of nursing theories 11 11. Fawcett J. Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition. Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013. was used, which reflects attention to a language that encompasses all situations and configurations of the nursing practice, highlights the most relevant characteristics of large theories and of mid-range theories and is suitable for the level of abstraction of these two types of nursing theory.11 11.

Fawcett J. Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition. Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013. This modality of research has been strengthening Nursing and has been used as a reference to evaluate other theories, in order to confirm its usefulness, its applicability and its value in education, practice and research.

In this sense, the following publications deserve a special mention: Analysis and evaluation of the peaceful end of life theory according to Fawcett’s criteria; 12 12. Zaccara AAL, Costa SFG, Nóbrega MML, França JRFS, Morais GSN, Fernandes MA. Analysis and assessment of the peaceful end of life theory according to Fawcett’s criteria.

Texto Contexto Enferm,2017 ;26(4):e2920017. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072017002920017 https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072017002. Adequate for the practice: Analysis and evaluation of Watson’s Theory of Human Care; 13 13. Pajnkihar M, McKenna HP, Štiglic G, Vrbnjak D.

Fit for practice: analysis and evaluation of Watson’s theory of human caring. Nurs Sci Q,2017 ;30(3):243-52. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318417708409 https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318417708409. and Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations: An assessment based on Fawcett’s criteria.14 14.

Franzoi MAH, Lemos KC, Jesus CAC, Pinho DLM, Kamada I, Reis PED. Peplau’s interpersonal relations theory: an evaluation based on Fawcett’s criteria. Rev Enferm UFPE on line,2016 ;10(Suppl 4):3653-61. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v10i4a11140p3653-3661-2016 https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963-v10i4a.

The papers analyzed in this study were retrieved in a search in the portal of Capes journals and in the virtual libraries and databases MEDLINE/PubMed, Wiley, SAGE, Scielo, Scopus (Elsevier), using the following keywords: ‘teoria de enfermagem’, ‘teoria da tristeza crônica’, ‘teoria de médio alcance de enfermagem’, ‘cuidado de enfermagem’, ‘nursing theory’, ‘chronic sorrow theory’, ‘mid-range nursing theory’ and ‘nursing care’.

The following inclusion criteria were adopted to select the studies: articles where the theory was used as a reference; that dealt with the proposed theme and published in any language. A time frame was not delimited in order to know when the Theory of Chronic Sorrow became the object of investigation and publication in the scientific literature.

Manuscripts that did not address the subject matter in question were excluded. With the final sample defined, the structural model of analysis and assessment of nursing theories proposed by Jacqueline Fawcett was used, whose application produces a descriptive, analytical and critical comment, which improves the understanding of the Mid- Range Theory of chronic sorrow and can lead to refinements in its concepts and proposals.11 11.

Fawcett J. Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition. Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013. The analysis proposes a detailed and impartial investigation, including the scope, context and content of the Theory.

The assessment is based on the results of the analysis, the review of previously published reviews, research reports and reports of practical applications. This theory claims judgments to be made in order for a theory to meet certain criteria, namely: significance, internal consistency, parsimony, testability, empirical adequacy and pragmatic adequacy.

Theories vary in level of abstraction and scope, and the most abstract and broadest type is defined as a large theory. The Mid-Range Theory is more concrete and with less scope and has a more limited sphere of action. Mid-Range Theories can be classified into three types: descriptive, explanatory, and predictive.11 11.

Fawcett J.
Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition.
Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013.
One of the first stages is to classify the theory as to its scope.
The Theory of Chronic Sorrow aims to improve the quality of life of people with chronic sorrow resulting from an experience of significant, real or symbolic loss in patients with progressive chronic diseases that threaten the continuity of life and their family members who have the responsibility to care, in death and in grief, and to achieve positive coping strategies related to nursing interventions and specific results for these people.15 15.

The second stage of the analysis is the definition of the context, which consists of identifying the philosophical claims on which the theory is based.11 11.
Fawcett J.
Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition.
Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013.

The term ‘chronic sorrow’ was introduced in the literature 55 years ago and originated with the work entitled “Chronic Sorrow: A response to having a mentally defective child”, in 1962, to characterize the recurrent grief experienced by the parents of children with intellectual disabilities.

The theory is also based on the stress and adaptation model, in which it formed the basis for understanding how people deal with chronic sorrow.15 15.
Eakes GG, Burke ML, Hainsworth MA.
Middle-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow.
Image J Nurs Sch,1998 ;30(2):179-84.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.tb01276.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.

– 16 16. Eakes, GG. Chronic sorrow. In: Peterson SJ, Bredow TS. Middle range theories: application to nursing research.3rd ed. Philadelphia (US): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2013.p.165-75. With regard to the content of the theory, it is articulated through its concepts and proposals.

The concepts of a theory are words or groups of words that express a mental image of some phenomenon and attribute meaning to what can be imagined or observed through the senses.11 11.
Fawcett J.
Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition.
Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013.

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The Mid-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow is supported by the following concepts: 15 15. Eakes GG, Burke ML, Hainsworth MA. Middle-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow. Image J Nurs Sch,1998 ;30(2):179-84. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.tb01276.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.

16 16. Eakes, GG.
Chronic sorrow.
In: Peterson SJ, Bredow TS.
Middle range theories: application to nursing research.3rd ed.
Philadelphia (US): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2013.p.165-75.
Chronic Sorrow – Periodic recurrence of permanent and widespread sorrow or other feelings related to grief resulting from an experience of loss.

Experience of loss – Significant loss, real or symbolic, which can be constant, without a predicted end or a more circumscribed event of isolated loss. Disparity – A gap between the current and the desired reality as a result of an experience of loss.

Triggering events or milestones – They are situations, circumstances and conditions that generate negative disparity resulting from loss and initiate or exacerbate feelings of suffering. Coping mechanisms – They are means by which the individuals deal with chronic sorrow. They can be internal (positive personal coping strategies used for dealing with periodic episodes of chronic sorrow) or external (interventions by nurses to help individuals cope with chronic sorrow).

Ineffective coping – Ineffective management results from strategies that increase the individual’s discomfort or feelings of chronic sorrow. Effective coping – Effective management results from strategies that enhance the comfort of the affected individual. Figure 1 – Diagrammatic model that explains the situations experienced by the person during the life cycle from the concepts of the Theory of Chronic Sorrow. Upon examining the content of the theory, it is necessary to highlight the non-relational proposals, which describe concepts and their constitutive definition.

According to the Theory of Chronic Sorrow, chronic sorrow is widespread, in which the experience is permanent, periodic and potentially progressive; the milestones (triggers) are events that trigger chronic sorrow; designate inner personal coping strategies.
The external coping mechanism was conceptualized as nursing interventions that help people with chronic sorrow feel more comfortable through roles with empathic, caring and competent presence.15 15.

Eakes GG, Burke ML, Hainsworth MA. Middle-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow. Image J Nurs Sch,1998 ;30(2):179-84. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.tb01276.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998. Relational proposals are the associations or connections between two or more concepts and are expressed in theory as follows: chronic sorrow is a normal human response related to the continuing disparity created by experiences of loss; the patients have inherent coping strategies that can be effective in restoring normal balance.

Nursing interventions (external coping strategies) aimed at achieving normal balance can be applied in different scenarios, especially in palliative care services in assisting patients with chronic and end-of-life diseases and their family members.15 15. Eakes GG, Burke ML, Hainsworth MA. Middle-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow.

Image J Nurs Sch,1998 ;30(2):179-84. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.tb01276.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998. – 16 16. Eakes, GG. Chronic sorrow. In: Peterson SJ, Bredow TS. Middle range theories: application to nursing research.3rd ed.

Philadelphia (US): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2013.p.165-75.
The evaluation of a theory allows inferences and the judgment of materials that were based on certain criteria defined by the author in the theory.11 11.
Fawcett J.
Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition.

Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013. The first criterion focuses on the context of the theory, is called significance, requires justification of the importance of the theory for the ‘Nursing’ discipline and is met when the meta-paradigmatic origins and influential nursing authors are explicit.11 11.

Fawcett J.
Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition.
Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013.
Fawcett mentions four central nursing units: human being, environment, health and Nursing, and formalized these concepts as a meta-paradigm: concepts that define practical Nursing, which is care in all its complexity.17 17.

Fawcett J. Middle range nursing theories are necessary for the advancement of the discipline. Aquichan,2005 ;5(1):32-43. Available from: http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1657-59972005000100004 http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?scri.

For the Theory of Sorrow, the main concepts are: 15 15. Eakes GG, Burke ML, Hainsworth MA. Middle-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow. Image J Nurs Sch,1998 ;30(2):179-84. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.tb01276.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998. person: people compare their experiences with the ideal and the others around them.

Although everyone’s experience is different and each loss is unique, there are common characteristics about the experience of loss; nursing: In the scope of the nursing practice, chronic sorrow is diagnosed and interventions are carried out that include empathic presence, experience in teaching and care and professional competence; health: a person’s health depends on their adaptation to the disparities associated with the loss; environment: it involves the interactions that take place in a social context, which include family, social and work environments.

The individuals respond to their self-evaluations in relation to the social norms regarding the loss process.
For the theoreticians, there is no particular theory of Nursing that directly influenced the development of their work.
However, in the 1980s and 1990s, research studies were conducted to describe chronic sorrow among various groups of people in situations of loss.

Thus, the Mid-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow was developed in an inductive manner, using concept analysis, extensive literature review, critical research review and validation in qualitative and quantitative studies of several loss situations.10 10. Burke ML, Hainsworth MA, Eakes GG, Lindgren CL.

Current knowledge and research on chronic sorrow: a foundation for inquiry. Death Studies,1992 ;16(3):231-45. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07481189208252572 https://doi.org/10.1080/0748118920825257., 15 15. Eakes GG, Burke ML, Hainsworth MA. Middle-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow. Image J Nurs Sch,1998 ;30(2):179-84.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.tb01276.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998., 16 16. Eakes, GG. Chronic sorrow. In: Peterson SJ, Bredow TS. Middle range theories: application to nursing research.3rd ed. Philadelphia (US): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2013.p.165-75.

, 18 18. Burke ML, Eakes GG, Hainsworth MA. Milestones of chronic sorrow: perspectives of chronically ill and bereaved persons and family caregivers. J Fam Nurs,1999 ;5(4):374-87. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/107484079900500402 https://doi.org/10.1177/1074840799005004.19. Eakes GG. Chronic sorrow: the lived experience of parents of chronically mentally III individuals.

Arch Psychiatr Nurs,1995 ;9(2):77-84. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9417(95)80004-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9417(95)80.20. Hainsworth MA, Eakes GG, Burke ML. Coping with chronic sorrow. Issues Ment Health N,1994 ;15(1):59-66. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3109/01612849409074934 https://doi.org/10.3109/0161284940907493.

– 21 21. Mcewen M, Wills EM. Bases teóricas de enfermagem.4th ed. São Paulo, SP(BR): Artmed; 2015. As for the internal consistency criterion, the analysis and evaluation model suggest that, in order for this parameter to be maintained, it is necessary to analyze the semantic and structural aspects of the theory’s context and content.11 11.

Fawcett J. Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition. Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013. However, the Theory of Chronic Sorrow meets the criterion of internal consistency. Hypothesis concepts and relationships can be easily applied in clinical contexts.

The content of the theory is congruent with Olshansk’s philosophical statements, since semantic clarity is evident in the constitutive definitions given to the concepts of the theory and congruent with the styles identified in the established theory on stress and coping by Lazarus and Folkman, in which the effective personal coping strategies used by people with chronic sorrow are consistent among those affected.15 15.

In: Peterson SJ, Bredow TS.
Middle range theories: application to nursing research.3rd ed.
Philadelphia (US): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2013.p.165-75.
The theory clearly delineates the relationship between concepts and makes intuitive sense, as for example, it is clear that effective management, internal or external, will provide more comfort, and ineffective management, more discomfort and intensity of chronic sorrow.

There is a limited number of variables that seem to be sufficient to explain the phenomena. The description that accompanies the theory is succinct and easy to understand. The theory has structural consistency, that is, it is logically organized and described in detail.

In this sense, a model is offered ( Figure 1 ) that helps to explain the links of the concepts.15 15.
Eakes GG, Burke ML, Hainsworth MA.
Middle-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow.
Image J Nurs Sch,1998 ;30(2):179-84.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.tb01276.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.

The concepts used in the Theory of Chronic Sorrow are interrelated, which provides a unique view for the nursing practice, without there being evident contradictions in the relational proposals. The parsimony criterion assesses the content of the theory and requires that fewer concepts and proposals be used to explain the phenomena presented by the theory.11 11.

Fawcett J. Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition. Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013. This means that its content must be stated clearly and concisely. The Theory of Chronic Sorrow can be characterized as parsimonious because its key concepts are clearly described and easily understood.

The Theory of Chronic Sorrow specifically addresses the grief needs and the experience of loss. In addition, it can be easily used by educators, researchers, nursing administrators and nurses, when providing care to patients with chronic diseases, in any situation of loss and in the most different cultures through empirical data.

This mid-range theory is suitable for research studies on the effectiveness of interventions for both patients and family caregivers.
It can also be used to determine the conditions that are most likely to trigger an exacerbation of feelings of sorrow and begin an experience of chronic sorrow.
With this knowledge, nurses will be able to anticipate needs and promote actions for an effective result.

A study aiming to explore the concept of chronic sorrow emphasized internal coping strategies, based on the experiences of a group of mothers of children with cancer, and external, with nurses’ interventions to help mothers to face the suffering of their children due to a serious disease.

The research also indicated that subsequent events, such as recurrence of the disease, for example, could cause more severe suffering than that experienced at the time of diagnosis, which manifests itself in different ways, such as feelings of anger and guilt.22 22.
Nikfarid L, Rassouli M, Borimnejad L, Alavimajd H.

Experience of chronic sorrow in mothers of children with cancer: A phenomenological study. Eur J Oncol Nurs,2017 ;28(2):98-106. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2017.02.003 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2017.02.0. The results of this study contributed for nurses who work with children with cancer and their families to prepare guidelines and plan holistic and family care that includes, among others: including the family in the care plan; helping the family understand the disease process, so that they can play other roles; intervening in the emotional responses, such as fear, sorrow, isolation, and hope; seeking social support and respecting culture and religiosity.22 22.

Nikfarid L, Rassouli M, Borimnejad L, Alavimajd H. Experience of chronic sorrow in mothers of children with cancer: A phenomenological study. Eur J Oncol Nurs,2017 ;28(2):98-106. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2017.02.003 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2017.02.0. The testability criterion is considered the main feature of the Mid-Range Theory’s usefulness.

This approach requires that the concepts of a theory are observable through appropriate empirical instruments and indicators to measure the claims made by the proposals that will produce evidence about the theory.10 10. Burke ML, Hainsworth MA, Eakes GG, Lindgren CL.

Current knowledge and research on chronic sorrow: a foundation for inquiry. Death Studies,1992 ;16(3):231-45. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07481189208252572 https://doi.org/10.1080/0748118920825257. In this perspective, the theory influences several nursing interventions and is widely used.

A series of studies, which form the basis of the Mid-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow, 10 10. Burke ML, Hainsworth MA, Eakes GG, Lindgren CL. Current knowledge and research on chronic sorrow: a foundation for inquiry. Death Studies,1992 ;16(3):231-45. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07481189208252572 https://doi.org/10.1080/0748118920825257.

15 15. Eakes GG, Burke ML, Hainsworth MA.
Middle-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow.
Image J Nurs Sch,1998 ;30(2):179-84.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998.tb01276.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.1998., 16 16.
Eakes, GG.
Chronic sorrow.
In: Peterson SJ, Bredow TS.
Middle range theories: application to nursing research.3rd ed.

Philadelphia (US): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2013.p.165-75., 18 18. Burke ML, Eakes GG, Hainsworth MA. Milestones of chronic sorrow: perspectives of chronically ill and bereaved persons and family caregivers. J Fam Nurs,1999 ;5(4):374-87. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/107484079900500402 https://doi.org/10.1177/1074840799005004.19.

Eakes GG. Chronic sorrow: the lived experience of parents of chronically mentally III individuals.
Arch Psychiatr Nurs,1995 ;9(2):77-84.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9417(95)80004-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9417(95)80.20.
Hainsworth MA, Eakes GG, Burke ML.
Coping with chronic sorrow.

Issues Ment Health N,1994 ;15(1):59-66. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3109/01612849409074934 https://doi.org/10.3109/0161284940907493.21. Mcewen M, Wills EM. Bases teóricas de enfermagem.4th ed. São Paulo, SP(BR): Artmed; 2015.22. Nikfarid L, Rassouli M, Borimnejad L, Alavimajd H.

Experience of chronic sorrow in mothers of children with cancer: A phenomenological study.
Eur J Oncol Nurs,2017 ;28(2):98-106.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2017.02.003 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2017.02.0.23.
Olwit C, Mugaba M, Osingada CP, Nabirye RC.
Existence, triggers, and coping with chronic sorrow: a qualitative study of caretakers of children with sickle cell disease in a National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.

BMC Psychology,2018 ;6:50. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-018-0263-y https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-018-0263-. – 24 24. Batchelor LL. The lived experiences of parents with chronic sorrow who are caring for children with a chronic medical condition.

2017 ; Texas (US): College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Texas at Tyler.
Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10950/626 http://hdl.handle.net/10950/626.
Are full of practical applications.
Eighteen studies were retrieved, five of which were published by the authors of the Theory of Chronic Sorrow, including the main article of the theory “Middle-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow”; 12 articles dealt with the theory in question, and one about the Mid-Range Nursing Theory: basic elements for development and practice, as shown in Chart 1,

Chart 1 – Distribution of the selected articles regarding the journal, title and year of publication. João Pessoa, PB, Brazil, 2019 (n=18) Regarding the testability criterion, a study carried out by the theoreticians provided a usable instrument – the Chronic Sorrow Questionnaire – to determine when chronic sorrow occurs and what characteristics it exhibits in a variety of populations throughout life.10 10.

Burke ML, Hainsworth MA, Eakes GG, Lindgren CL.
Current knowledge and research on chronic sorrow: a foundation for inquiry.
Death Studies,1992 ;16(3):231-45.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07481189208252572 https://doi.org/10.1080/0748118920825257.
The authors of the theory developed another quantitative assessment tool: the Burke/Eakes Chronic Sorrow Assessment Tool.

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This instrument can be applied in situations of loss and involves family caregivers, patients with chronic diseases and people in anticipatory grief or who experience the grief process after the death of a loved one.16 16. Eakes, GG. Chronic sorrow. In: Peterson SJ, Bredow TS.

Middle range theories: application to nursing research.3rd ed.
Philadelphia (US): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2013.p.165-75.
A research study carried out in Uganda explored the existence of chronic sorrow and coping with grief-related feelings among caregivers of children with sickle cell disease, and the most effective means of determining the presence of chronic sorrow was the Burke Chronic Sorrow Questionnaire for caregivers.23 23.

Olwit C, Mugaba M, Osingada CP, Nabirye RC. Existence, triggers, and coping with chronic sorrow: a qualitative study of caretakers of children with sickle cell disease in a National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. BMC Psychology,2018 ;6:50. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-018-0263-y https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-018-0263-.

Another study conducted in the United States adapted and evaluated the instrument to understand the nature and meaning of the experiences of parents with chronic sorrow who are caring for a child with a chronic medical condition.24 24.
Batchelor LL.
The lived experiences of parents with chronic sorrow who are caring for children with a chronic medical condition.

,2017 ; Texas (US): College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Texas at Tyler. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10950/626 http://hdl.handle.net/10950/626. Findings signal that the Burke Chronic Sorrow Questionnaire is reliable as a tracking tool to detect the presence of chronic sorrow in the population and enabled the nursing intervention with efficacy.23 23.

– 24 24. Batchelor LL. The lived experiences of parents with chronic sorrow who are caring for children with a chronic medical condition.,2017 ; Texas (US): College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Texas at Tyler. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10950/626 http://hdl.handle.net/10950/626.

Another survey evaluated the psychometric properties of the Kendall Chronic Sorrow Instrument and concluded that this version can be used as a valid and reliable instrument to measure chronic sorrow in Iranian mothers of children with cancer.34 34. Nikfarid L, Rassouli M, Borimnejad L, Alavimajd H. Translation and psychometric properties of the persian version of the “kendall chronic sorrow instrument” in mothers of children with cancer.

Support Palliat Care Cancer,2017 ; 1(1):1-7. Available from: http://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/spc/article/view/10563/13733 http://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/spc/article/v. It should be emphasized that, in the Brazilian literature, no publications were found in which the theory was used in the period under investigation.

However, it cannot be deduced that the Theory of Chronic Sorrow is devalued in the field of national scientific research.
The production of knowledge about Nursing theories represents a relatively low frequency.
It is necessary to consider the current tendency of Nursing to diversify the theoretical and/or methodological framework used in its studies, because nurses have been seeking the contribution of other areas of knowledge to account for the complexity of the phenomena that are part of their practice, as the study points out.35 35.

Schaurich D, Crossetti MDGO. Knowledge production on nursing theories: analysis of the area periodicals, 1998-2007. Esc Anna Nery Rev Enferm,2010 ;14(1):182-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1414-81452010000100027, https://doi.org/10.1590/S1414-8145201000.

Thus, it is necessary to disseminate the Mid-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow, in order to support research studies in the field of Nursing in the national context.
Empirical Adequacy is the criterion for evaluating a mid-range theory and requires that the statements made by it be congruent with the empirical evidence.

This parameter requires an assessment of the degree of reliability of the theory.11 11. Fawcett J. Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition. Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013. As it is characteristic of the Mid-Range Theory, the limited scope makes it immediately possible for the researchers to study the phenomenon.

With a limited number and defined relationships of variables, not all statements are empirically supported. Therefore, this theory requires tests to assert their empirical validity and determine whether all statements are indispensable or whether additional statements are necessary, in order to test the theory and to find external and internal management strategies to reduce the chronic sorrow created by the process of anticipatory grief in palliative care patients and their family members.

In assessing a theory, the Pragmatic Adequacy Criterion is a step that focuses on its usefulness for the nursing practice and requires from these professionals’ knowledge about its content and skills necessary for its application, in order to achieve favorable results for the people who participate in the care actions.11 11.

Fawcett J.
Contemporary nursing knowledge: analysis and evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories.3rd Edition.
Philadelphia (US): FA Davis Company; 2013.
It is important to mention that the theory is used in the health care practice and in the scope of research, but it has not yet been widespread, especially in institutions aimed at patients under palliative care.

However, some specific actions are implemented in the practice, such as, for example, the University of La Sabana in Bogotá (Colombia), whose nursing assistance and research studies in the obstetrics and gynecology service are based on the theory. This study group maintains a website that provides general information about mothers facing the experience of losing a child, intended for educational purposes, for research and for the clinical practice.36 36.

Acosta ALC, Aldana AMC. Embarazo: uma vida empieza, otras se iluminan. Chía (CO): Universidade de La Sabana; 2011 Available from: https://any1004.wixsite.com/pregnancy/enfermera https://any1004.wixsite.com/pregnancy/en. The literature on standardized nursing languages reveals that chronic sorrow is a diagnostic category of NANDA International (NANDA-I).

This term was approved in 1998 and reviewed in 2017. It is defined as a “cyclical, recurrent and potentially progressive pattern of widespread sorrow, experienced (by a parent, caregiver or individual with a chronic disease or disability) in response to the continuous loss along the path of a disease or disability”.37:681 37.

Herdman TH, Kamitsuru S. Diagnósticos internacionais de enfermagem da NANDA I: definições e classificação, 2018-2020.11th ed. Porto Alegre (BR): Artmed; 2018. It is also a diagnostic concept in the International Classification for Nursing Practice – CIPE®, since Version 1, published in 2005, defined as a ‘negative emotion: feelings of grief and melancholy associated with lack of energy”.38 38.

Garcia TR, Nóbrega MML, Cubas MR. Classificação Internacional para a Prática de Enfermagem – CIPE® Versão 2019. Geneva (CH): ICN; 2019 ; Available from: https://www.icn.ch/what-we-do/projects/ehealth/icnp-download/icnp-translations.pdf https://www.icn.ch/what-we-do/projects/e.

The relationships between the diagnostic categories in NANDA International (NANDA-I), the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) provide educational applications for nursing educators who design curricula and teach Undergraduate Nursing Students in Clinical Decision Processes.

In addition, the links focus on outcome-based care planning, an essential step in the teaching of evidence-based practices.38 38. Garcia TR, Nóbrega MML, Cubas MR. Classificação Internacional para a Prática de Enfermagem – CIPE® Versão 2019. Geneva (CH): ICN; 2019 ; Available from: https://www.icn.ch/what-we-do/projects/ehealth/icnp-download/icnp-translations.pdf https://www.icn.ch/what-we-do/projects/e.39.

Moorhead S, Johnson M, Maas M, Swanson E. Classificações dos resultados de enfermagem (NOC): mensuração dos resultados em saúde.5th ed. Rio de Janeiro (BR): Elsevier; 2016. – 40 40. Bulechek GM, Butcher HK, Dochterman J M. Classificação das intervenções em enfermagem (NIC).6th ed. Rio de Janeiro (BR): Elsevier ; 2016.

Thus, it is important to disseminate the concepts of the theory to guide patients and family members who live an extremely disturbing experience simultaneously with the trajectory of the patient’s end of life, not only due to the physical and emotional stress inherent to care, but also to feelings of loss and separation caused by a chronic disease, of rapid progression and with the imminent possibility of death.

Anticipatory grief encompasses many areas of the person’s life. Thus, palliative care must provide comfort, which can result from health and nursing care practices, reconciling rationality, sensitivity and maintenance of the dignity of the patients and their family. Loss is a common experience for the human being.

When dealing with patients with chronic, degenerative or late-life diseases, the nurse must face the real or perceived loss that covers grief. This is a frequent experience in the experience of many family members. The Theory of Chronic Sorrow uniquely addresses the grief needs and the experience of loss.

As a mid-range predictive theory, it can be easily applied in different Nursing scenarios: care, teaching and research.
In addition, the use of this theory is envisaged by a standardized language, which translates for Nursing the relevance of addressing aspects associated with chronic sorrow.
The theory’s own instrument is an adequate tool to determine the presence of chronic sorrow in patients and family caregivers, both in the anticipatory grief process and in the family’s mourning, after they lose their loved one, as well as to enable the nursing intervention.

The study limitation was the absence of publications on this theory in the Brazilian scenario. For this reason, it is suggested that future research studies focus on a content validation process of the theory instrument by the palliative care area nurses and on a clinical validation, to be tested with relatives of patients with chronic diseases and in the final phase of life.

What are basic elements of theory?

Theory is constructed with several basic elements or building blocks: (1) concepts, (2) variables, (3) statements, and (4) formats. Although there are many divergent claims about what theory is or should be, these four elements are common to all of them.

What are the 5 major of theory?

At a glance. There are five primary educational learning theories: behaviorism, cognitive, constructivism, humanism, and connectivism.

What are the six 6 criteria that determine the usefulness of a scientific theory?

SCIENCE IDENTIFICATION CRITERIA or THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENCE Six Criteria of Science : Consistent, Observable, Natural, Predictable, Testable, and Tentative.

What are the 6 types of theory?

Types of Theories of Emotion – The major theories of emotion can be grouped into three main categories:

Physiological theories suggest that responses within the body are responsible for emotions. Neurological theories propose that activity within the brain leads to emotional responses. Cognitive theories argue that thoughts and other mental activities play an essential role in forming emotions.

In addition to these three main categories, there are six main theories of emotion that have been proposed by psychologists: evolutionary theory, James-Lange theory, Cannon-Bard theory, Schachter-Singer theory, cognitive appraisal theory, and facial-feedback theory. Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou

What are the three elements of a good theory?

How do we know if it’s a good or a bad hypothesis? (Your textbook covers this, so I’m going to be brief.) Remember way back to the beginning of this lesson (I know, it seems like forever ago). I wrote out the definition of a hypothesis (“a specific and falsifiable prediction regarding the relationship between or among two or more variables”) and then told you that I’d come back to the specific and falsifiable part later.

By saying that a hypothesis should be general I’m implying that it should apply to a wide variety of people and experiences.
It’s not very useful to have a theory (or a hypothesis) that is only applicable on Tuesdays between 11:30 and 11:45am for left-handed people living on streets that have speed bumps.

When we talk about a parsimonious theory or hypothesis we are implying that the ideas are simple and straightforward. Imagine a hypothesis that required a long list of exceptions (“It is predicted that A will cause B, except on Tuesdays, or if the person is taller than five foot three inches and B might cause A on Thursdays after lunch” Ok, I’m getting silly.) Combining the goal of being inclusive (being general) with the goal of being straightforward (parsimonious) a good researcher finds a balance related to specificity.

Well my theory is general and parsimonious, but it’s also completely useless. Why is it useless? Because it can never be wrong, and therefore although it can never be disproven it can’t help me to understand the world. At this point you should complete Part 2 of the Assignment 2 Then go to the Lab folder and complete Lesson 2 Lab.

What are the three criteria for best theory?

I call the three criteria consilience, simplicity, and analogy. The notion of consilience is derived from the writings of William Whewell.

Sabrina Sarro