The History and Evolution of Jean Watson's Caring Theory
Initially developed in 1975, the concept of the “Caring Theory” has undergone introspection and evolution while maintaining Jean Watson’s original premise of scientific knowledge with the incorporation of humanistic application in nursing (art and science). When the Caring Theory was first conceptualized, Watson described her initial work as a descriptive theory of caring and stated that it was the only theory of nursing to incorporate the spiritual dimension of nursing (McEwen & Wills, 2011).
Watson’s is one of the first nurse theorists to incorporate the needs of the patient as well as those who provide nursing care. Years after the initial introduction of her caring theory in 1979, Watson wrote that she had published her initial theory “before there was any formal movement in nursing related to nursing theory per se. It emerged from my quest to bring new meaning and dignity to the world of nursing and patient care—care that seemed too limited in its scope at the time, largely defined by medicine’s paradigm and traditional bio-medical science models. I felt a dissonance between nursing’s paradigm (yet to be defined as such) of caring-healing and health, and medicine’s paradigm of diagnosis and treatment, and concentration on disease and pathology” (Watson, 1997).
Watson’s early theory was influenced by the studies of phenomenological psychology and aspects of the mental health nursing practices and philosophical studies such as existentialism. Her extensive travels from the Far East through Europe in later years had help her initial theory to expand and incorporate the eastern and western patient care and medicine. In 1996, Watson commented that the theory has continued to evolve “until this moment in history” (Fawcett, 2002).
The core elements of the Watson’s theories include the carative factors (later to become the concept of clinical caritas), transpersonal caring relationship, and the caring occasion/caring moment.
Carative Factors
Watson initially developed the carative factors in 1979 with an initial revision in 1985 and further revision in 1988. Her 10 carative factors strive to “honor the human dimensions of nursing’s work and the inner life world and subjective experiences of the people we serve” (Watson, 1997). According to Watson, initially use of carative factors provided a distinction from that of the traditional curative aspects of medicine. As her theory evolved, the concept of clinical caritas were introduced by Watson to replace the original carative factors noting that the caritas originates from the Greek vocabulary, meaning to cherish and to give special loving attention (2001).
Transpersonal Caring Relationship
According to Watson, transpersonal caring conveys a concern for the inner life and subjective meaning of another, and reaches toward the deeper connections of the spirit from the perspective of a broader universe (Watson, 1999). Encompassing the ethical, spiritual concerns and connections between the patient and the nurse connecting them in a transitional ethos allowing for the possibilities and potentials of both individuals within the process of disease acknowledgment as well as physical and spiritual healing.
Caring Occasion/Caring Moment
A caring moment has the potential to occur within that moment in time when the nurse and patient the ability to
determine in a single moment how to just be in the moment and their relationship. It is also a time when they can determine how to react and what to do during that moment. If mutual concern for the person can be achieved (a transpersonal moment), then each can feel a connection at a deep spiritual level. That moment and others to follow
have the potential to transcend their current boundaries providing needed security for physical and emotional interaction and ultimate completion of the healing process.
Watson’s caring theory continues to be a living and ever evolving work of technology, philosophy, psychology, and
the enduring human spirit. Her work in both its original and evolving forms, seeks to develop care as an ontological
and theoretical-philosophical-ethical framework for the profession and discipline of nursing and clarify its mature relationship and distinct intersection with other health services (Watson, date unknown).
Initially developed in 1975, the concept of the “Caring Theory” has undergone introspection and evolution while maintaining Jean Watson’s original premise of scientific knowledge with the incorporation of humanistic application in nursing (art and science). When the Caring Theory was first conceptualized, Watson described her initial work as a descriptive theory of caring and stated that it was the only theory of nursing to incorporate the spiritual dimension of nursing (McEwen & Wills, 2011).
Watson’s is one of the first nurse theorists to incorporate the needs of the patient as well as those who provide nursing care. Years after the initial introduction of her caring theory in 1979, Watson wrote that she had published her initial theory “before there was any formal movement in nursing related to nursing theory per se. It emerged from my quest to bring new meaning and dignity to the world of nursing and patient care—care that seemed too limited in its scope at the time, largely defined by medicine’s paradigm and traditional bio-medical science models. I felt a dissonance between nursing’s paradigm (yet to be defined as such) of caring-healing and health, and medicine’s paradigm of diagnosis and treatment, and concentration on disease and pathology” (Watson, 1997).
Watson’s early theory was influenced by the studies of phenomenological psychology and aspects of the mental health nursing practices and philosophical studies such as existentialism. Her extensive travels from the Far East through Europe in later years had help her initial theory to expand and incorporate the eastern and western patient care and medicine. In 1996, Watson commented that the theory has continued to evolve “until this moment in history” (Fawcett, 2002).
The core elements of the Watson’s theories include the carative factors (later to become the concept of clinical caritas), transpersonal caring relationship, and the caring occasion/caring moment.
Carative Factors
Watson initially developed the carative factors in 1979 with an initial revision in 1985 and further revision in 1988. Her 10 carative factors strive to “honor the human dimensions of nursing’s work and the inner life world and subjective experiences of the people we serve” (Watson, 1997). According to Watson, initially use of carative factors provided a distinction from that of the traditional curative aspects of medicine. As her theory evolved, the concept of clinical caritas were introduced by Watson to replace the original carative factors noting that the caritas originates from the Greek vocabulary, meaning to cherish and to give special loving attention (2001).
Transpersonal Caring Relationship
According to Watson, transpersonal caring conveys a concern for the inner life and subjective meaning of another, and reaches toward the deeper connections of the spirit from the perspective of a broader universe (Watson, 1999). Encompassing the ethical, spiritual concerns and connections between the patient and the nurse connecting them in a transitional ethos allowing for the possibilities and potentials of both individuals within the process of disease acknowledgment as well as physical and spiritual healing.
Caring Occasion/Caring Moment
A caring moment has the potential to occur within that moment in time when the nurse and patient the ability to
determine in a single moment how to just be in the moment and their relationship. It is also a time when they can determine how to react and what to do during that moment. If mutual concern for the person can be achieved (a transpersonal moment), then each can feel a connection at a deep spiritual level. That moment and others to follow
have the potential to transcend their current boundaries providing needed security for physical and emotional interaction and ultimate completion of the healing process.
Watson’s caring theory continues to be a living and ever evolving work of technology, philosophy, psychology, and
the enduring human spirit. Her work in both its original and evolving forms, seeks to develop care as an ontological
and theoretical-philosophical-ethical framework for the profession and discipline of nursing and clarify its mature relationship and distinct intersection with other health services (Watson, date unknown).