health, and environment
A nursing conceptual model is an abstract way of showing the way concepts interrelate which include the 4 basic nursing concepts which are; nursing, person, health, and environment (Cherry and Jacob, 2017). These concepts are defined differently by various theorist, resulting in varying theories due to the different perspectives of how these concepts relate to one another (Cherry and Jacob, 2017). It is from the conceptual model that a hypothesis is created (Cherry and Jacob, 2017) Through research and testing, a nursing theories validity is strengthened (Mock et al., 2007). According to McKenna, Pajnkihar, and Murphy, “Theory exists at different stages of development and a conceptual model is a stage of development on the way to becoming a theory” (2014, p.106). The purpose of nursing theory application is to improve nursing practice (Whitney, 2018).
Richard Lazarus’ theory of stress, coping, and adaptation addresses the psychological coping mechanisms that are due to stress (Whitney,2018). “Psychological stress is a particular relationship between the person and the environment that is appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources and endangering his or her well-being” (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984, p. 19). Coping is defined by Lazarus and Folkman “as constantly changing cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage specific external and/or internal demands that are appraised as taxing or exceeding the resources of the person” (1984, p. 179).
