Modeling and Role-Modeling Theory

Holism is the epicenter of Ericson, Tomlin and Swain’s theory of Modeling and Role-Modeling. A newer theory development in nursing, published in 1983 has been integrated into many different university nursing programs as well as in clinical settings (Marriner-Tomey & Alligood, 2006). The theory while simple in concept has a complex combination of other well-known theories in psychology. The theory integrates Abraham Maslow’s higharchy of needs, Erik Erickson’s stages of psychosocial development, Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory, and Selye and Engle stress response theory (Marriner-Tomey & Alligood, 2006). These theories cover the internal aspect of the person, which Ericson, Tomlin and Swain deemed necessary in treatment of the whole patient.

This theory is considered a middle range theory, however Peterson and Bredow (2009) argue that it has the necessary elements to be classified as a grand theory. Peterson and Bredow (2009) assert that the theory can stand on its own as well as other theories can be derived from within the Modeling and Role-Modeling theory. Since the Modeling and Role-Modeling theory integrates a “metaparadigm” of influences on life and health, it creates an approach towards facilitating healing of the entire person (Peterson & Bredow, 2009).

In the most fundamental form the theory is put into practice using two general steps, modeling then role-modeling. Modeling can be done by acquiring information about how the patient perceives their health in relation to their life, allowing the nurse to see through the patient’s perspective (Campbell, Finch, Allport, Erickson, & Swain, 1985). Once the nurse is aware of the patient’s level of understanding of illness, acceptance level of illness, stage of dev...

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...odeling. Journal of Multicultural Nursing & Health 8(3)

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Marriner-Tomey, A., & Alligood, M. R. (2006). Nursing theorists and their work. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby/Elsevier.

Peterson, S. J., & Bredow, T. S. (2009). Modeling and role-modeling. In Middle range theories: Application to nursing research (pp. 235-251). Philidalphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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