THEORY OF RELATIONAL CERTAINTY FOR MILITARY VETERANS
The purpose of this presentation is to describe a middle-range theory on the role of relational certainty in human interactions. The theory of relational certainty was drawn from the adaptive stress responses military veterans’ display reintegrating into society. The significance of the theory rests in the attempt to explain how veterans internally construct meaning of stable relationships, with the level of relational certainty indicating a balance of biological and social links. A model of relational certainty demonstrating the concepts and associations form the foundation of the theoretical and empirical postulates. Discussion of the theory is systematized based on two main strands: nature and social nurture.
Internal consistency of the theory developed; concept analysis approach or process used
The process used to develop this theory included derivation, synthesis, and analysis. The development began with an in-depth review of existing literature on stress responses in the military veteran population. The information gathered was separated and blended to form two main foundational strands: nature and social nurture.
Logic linking the theory or concept to nursing practice or research problem
The foundational strands are linked by pairs of predetermined genetically expressed responses and externally nurtured responses, or relagens. The relagens are comprised of varying amounts of partial genetic links and partial nurture links. If the genetic and nurture links are not balanced, or unduly affected by stress, then the opposing link compensates and becomes the dominant link altering the expression of relational activity. This then, without intervention, becomes the basis for replication and creates cycles of similar relationships expressions. Weiss Social Provision Theory (1974) defined some of the key relational intervention strategies: guidance (advice or information), reliable alliance (assurance that others can be counted on in times of stress), reassurance of worth (recognition of one’s competence), attachment (emotional closeness), social integration (a sense of belonging to a group of friends), and opportunity for nurturance (providing assistance to others). The basic nature of any human being is based on three antecedents of relational certainty: 1) The level of stress associated with any recurring experience that affects the veteran’s emotional response and cognitive responses colored by prior experiences and perception; 2) Relagens expression capacity of the appraisal of relational certainty- the process of placing a value on the certainty of the relationship within any given situation; 3) Relagens expression of the relational certainty- for or in coping with uncertain events.
Conclusions, including a statement about the utility of the theory or concept for nursing practice or research
This theory is comprised of knowledge resulting from nursing and related disciplines, addresses a utility for research, and suggests a balance of epigenetic and social links for explaining the process of determining meaning to the certainty of relationships within the military veteran population.