experience, and uses the term
phenomenal field to describe a person's individual frame of reference, which is
influenced by past experiences and can never be truly known by another person. Anotheraspect of Watson's theory is transpersonal caring, in which nurse and patient
coparticipate in the goal of achieving health (Watson, 1988, p. 70). Watson (1988)
defines health as harmony between mind, body and soul, and illness as a subjective
disharmony between mind, body, and soul. As well, integral to Watson's theory are the
10 carative factors that serve as a "framework for providing a structure and order for
nursing phenomena" (Watson, 1997, p. 50). The 10 carative factors are as follows:
1) Humanistic-altruistic system of values
4) Helping-trusting, human care relationship
5) Expressing positive and negative feelings
6) Creative problem-solving caring process
8) Supportive, protective, and/or corrective mental, physical, societal, and
10) Existential-phenomenological-spiritual forces.
All of this is presupposed by a knowledge base and clinical competence
Watson (1988) believes that nursing must separate itself from the reductionistic
views of the traditional science medical paradigm and focus on movement towards a
human science nursing paradigm. Watson also readily acknowledges that her theory is a
work in progress, and she "invites participants to co-create the model's furtheremergence" (Watson, 1997, p. 52). This is in accordance with her theory in that she
believes that everything is in an unending process of becoming (Watson, 1988).
Discussion of The Theory of Human Caring
Watson's Theory of Caring has been influenced by a variety of disciplines outside
of nursing. For example, Watson (1997) acknowledged that aspects of psychology,
existential-phenomenological philosophy, and metaphysics helped to mold her theory.
As a result, authors such as ...