Newman's theory of health as expanding consciousness: an evolutionary concept analysis.
Hongman Li, Ying Xiong, Zengjie Ye
BMC nursing September 3, 2024 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02262-8 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractHealth as expanding consciousness (HEC) theory holds that health and disease are interconnected parts of a process that expands consciousness. Using Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis, 70 studies from 1986 to 2023 were analyzed. Key attributes of HEC include movement, time, space, energy, rhythm, and a paradigm of health. Antecedents are disease, chaos, binding, centering, and choice point. Consequences include self-transcendence, unbinding, decentering, expanded consciousness, real freedom, pattern recognition, absolute consciousness, and death. The analysis identifies substitute terms, related concepts, and empirical references, offering insights for nursing practice, education, research, and management.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 70 |
| Population | Studies on health as expanding consciousness theory |
| Keywords | Consciousness evolution Margaret a. newman Nursing Theoretical research |
| Key finding | The concept of health as expanding consciousness includes attributes of movement, time, space, energy, and rhythm, with antecedents such as disease and chaos, and consequences like self-transcendence and expanded consciousness. |
Abstract
The health as expanding consciousness (HEC) theory posits that health and disease are interconnected components of a comprehensive process aimed at expanding consciousness. The objective of this study is to introduce the concept, research status and applications of HEC and offer a comprehensive understanding of its various key components. Databases including EMBASE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Wiley, Web of Science, Sinomed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and CQVIP, covering the period from 1986 to 2023. Employing Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis approach, this study included and analysed 70 studies. The characteristics of HEC comprise aspects such as movement, time, space, energy, rhythm, and paradigm of health. The antecedents of HEC encompass disease, chaos, binding, centring, and choice point. Consequences associated with HEC include self-transcendence, unbinding, decentring, expanded consciousness, real freedom, pattern recognition, absolute consciousness, and death. This study has identified substitute terms, related concepts, attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical references associated with HEC. The findings provide valuable information applicable across various domains of nursing, encompassing practice, education, research, and management.