Hildegard Peplau
(1909-1999)
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS MODEL
THEORY PRESENTED-1952
Interpersonal Relations as a Nursing Process:
Man as an Organism That Exists in an Unstable
Equilibrium
Client experiences insult that renders them
incapable of moving forward because of
stressful environmental/causing anxiety
Hildegard E. Peplau was an American nurse
and the first published nursing theorist since
Florence Nightingale and created the middlerange nursing theory of interpersonal relations,
which helped to revolutionize the scholarly
work of nurses.
Theory Description:

Interpersonal relations model explores:
 Interpersonal
client
 Identifies
relationship of the nurse and the
the clients feelings as a predictor of
positive outcomes related to health and
wellness (Cherry and Jacob, 2014)
Concepts & interrelationshipsPeplau’s Psychodynamic Nursing
Model
Phases and changing roles in a
nurse-patient relationship
Factors influencing orientation phase:
NURSE
Values
Culture race Cultural race
Beliefs
Past Experiences
Expectations
Preconceived ideas
PATIENT
Values
Culture race Cultural race
Beliefs
Past Experiences
Expectations
Consider these interactions:
• Ineffective
• Effective
(Cherry & Jacob, 2011)
Peplau’s Six Nursing Roles:
Stranger- Receives client/patient in same way one meets a stranger and
provides a climate that builds trust
Teacher- Who imparts knowledge in reference to a need or interest
Resource Person- One who provides specific information for problem solving
Counselor- Provides guidance and encouragement to make changes
Surrogate- Helps to clarify domains of dependence, interdependence, and
independency, and acts on client’s behalf as an advocate
Leader- Helps client assume maximum responsibility for meeting goals
Nursing ParadigmPerson- Developing organism that tries to reduce anxiety caused by needs
Patient- client (customer), human being!
Environment- Existing forces outside the organism AND in the context of culture
(any unpleasant atmosphere causing stress/anxiety)
Health- Implies forward movement of personality and other ongoing human
processes in the direction of creative, constructive, productive, personal, and
community living.
(optimal physical and emotional wellness (resolution of any obstacles to wellbeing)
Nursing- A significant therapeutic interpersonal process. It functions cooperatively
with other human process that make health possible for individuals in communities.
Resource person, Educator, Mentor, Transfer Agent, Counselor
How Peplau’s Theory Can Guide a
Nursing Educational Program:
• This theory teaches the nursing student a humanistic way to connect with their patients
(If you don’t learn to connect with your patients in a way that is meaningful to them, you
will not teach them anything)
• Is used in conjunction with the nursing process- follows a systematic, logical approach
• Peplau's theory has generated testable hypotheses (Current nursing, 2012)
• Theories can be utilized by practitioners to guide and improve their practice.
What was happening in the world
that impacted the development of
this theory?
Devastating flu epidemic of 1918, a personal experience that
greatly influenced her understanding of the impact of illness
and death on families.[
she observed how people behaved under stress
In the early 1900s nursing practice was controlled by medicine
few occupational opportunities for women
The Use of Peplau’s Theory
IN ACUTE CARE:
•
IN ADDITION TO CARING FOR THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF
PATIENTS, CRITICAL CARE NURSES MUST DEAL WITH THE
EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
•
COMMUNICATION IS IMPERATIVE IN CRITICAL CARE
NURSING
•
NURSES MUST BE PREPARED FOR TO ADAPT TO A
PATIENT'S CARE QUICKLY BASED ON THE PATIENT'S
HEALTH.
(NURSING THEORY, 2013)
The Use of Peplau’s Theory
IN LONG TERM CARE:
• Useful to establish trusting relationships
• Useful to establish short and long term communication
goals
The Use of Peplau’s Theory
IN AMBULATORY CARE:
Used to•
Develop rapid goals
•
Assess readiness to learn
•
Assess patient’s ability to participate in plan of care
Why is this important to me?
This theory provides simplicity in regard to the
natural & logical progression of the Nurse/Patient
relationship.
Limitations•Personal space considerations and community
social service resources are considered less.
•Health promotion and maintenance were less
emphasized
•Cannot be used in a patient who doesn’t have a
felt need eg. Withdrawn patients, unconscious
patients
•Some areas are not specific enough to generate
hypothesis
(current nursing, 2011)
And influenced the theorist?
She observed how people behaved under stress,
including witnessing people jumping from windows in
delirium from the flu
She was determined to rise above the oppressive
paternalistic standard and advocate for the nursing
profession
“Somewhere, somehow, at some time in
the past, courageous nurses determined
these skills, learned them, fought for the
right to use them, refined them, and
taught them to other nurses. All nurses
have an obligation to remember that
part of nursing’s past, and to keep their
own skills in pace with new opportunities
for nursing into the next century.”
(Peplau, 1989, p.32)
References:
Cherry & Jacob, (2011)
Current Nursing, (2012)
http://www.nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/critical-care-nursing.php
Nursing theory (2013)
Peplau, (1989), p.32)
Q & A’s