Reed's Theory of Self-Transcendence in Nursing Practice
This paper examines Reed's Theory of Self-Transcendence, which posits that human beings find meaning by orienting themselves toward something beyond the self. Rooted in Rogers' Theory of Unitary Beings, the theory identifies four dimensions of self-transcendence — intrapersonal, interpersonal, transpersonal, and temporal — and aims to provide nurses with a practical framework for promoting well-being during life-threatening or challenging circumstances. The paper analyzes the theory's core concepts (self-transcendence, well-being, and vulnerability), its key attributes (caring presence, search for meaning, transcendence, and harmonious interconnectedness), and illustrates these through model, related, and contrary nursing cases. Antecedents and consequences of spiritual care are also discussed, with a concluding emphasis on mentorship in spiritual nursing practice.
- Introduction to Self-Transcendence Theory: Origins and four dimensions of self-transcendence
- Aim and Core Concepts of the Theory: Framework aim and definitions of key concepts
- Attributes of Self-Transcendence: Four attributes including caring presence and transcendence
- Model, Related, and Contrary Cases: Three nursing scenarios illustrating the theory
- Antecedents and Consequences: Conditions and outcomes of spiritual nursing care
- Conclusion: Recommendations for mentorship in spiritual nursing
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper applies an abstract nursing theory to concrete clinical scenarios through clearly differentiated model, related, and contrary cases, making the concepts immediately practical and accessible.
- Core theoretical terms — self-transcendence, well-being, and vulnerability — are defined in the student's own words before being illustrated, demonstrating conceptual understanding rather than mere recitation.
- The use of three contrasting nurse scenarios (Nurse A, B, and C) efficiently captures a spectrum of practice responses, strengthening the argument through comparison.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates concept analysis as an academic method: it isolates a theory's defining terms, identifies their attributes, and then tests those attributes against constructed cases (model, related, and contrary). This technique, common in nursing theory courses, shows how abstract frameworks can be operationalized for clinical evaluation.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a definition and theoretical origin of self-transcendence, then moves logically through aim, core concepts, and attributes. The middle section applies the theory through three contrasting nursing cases. Antecedents and consequences follow as discrete analytical categories, and the paper closes with a brief conclusion recommending mentorship as a pathway to broader adoption of spiritual nursing. The structure mirrors a standard concept-analysis format used in nursing education.
Introduction to Self-Transcendence Theory
Self-transcendence refers to the ability of a human being to find meaning by being drawn toward someone or something other than themselves. The theory finds its roots in Rogers' Theory of Unitary Beings (Reed, 2009, p. 397). The theory puts forth four ways in which self-transcendence can be accomplished: intrapersonal, interpersonal, transpersonal, and temporal (Palmer, Quinn, Palmer, & Fitzpatrick, 2010).
Aim and Core Concepts of the Theory
The aim of the theory is to provide nurses with a framework for practice and inquiry as it pertains to the promotion of well-being amid complicated life situations.
Self-transcendence: Reed theorizes that people who face life-threatening situations may experience an unusually expanded awareness of their environment, and that self-transcendence can be expressed through their behaviors, ideas, and perspectives. They become more accepting of death, let go of loss, and are open to finding spiritual meaning (Haugan, Rannestad, Garasen, & Espnes, 2011).
Well-being: Reed defines well-being as having a sense of wholeness and health as it pertains to one's own standards of health and wholeness (Haugan, Rannestad, Garasen, & Espnes, 2011).
Vulnerability: Refers to an individual's awareness of their own mortality and their experience of trying events.
Attributes of Self-Transcendence
Caring presence is about the idea of being touching, caring, available, and being able to lend spiritual and emotional support (Kliewer, 2004).
Search for meaning and purpose involves searching for life's ontological significance (Villagomeza, 2005).
Transcendence involves going beyond one's own limitations to gain a greater understanding of the universe and oneself. Transcendence is one of the ways a person can experience the world (Armstrong, 2008). Patients may become aware of a higher power and seek intervention through faith (Touhy et al., 2005).
Harmonious interconnectedness can be manifested in having a healthy relationship with God, the environment, and oneself.
Conclusion
There are several reasons that may prompt medical practitioners to omit spiritual nursing from their clinical practice. Most of these shortcomings can be addressed if practitioners had more information and could empirically define the attributes of good spiritual nursing. Villagomeza (2005) suggests that nurses who already provide spiritual nursing care should act as mentors to those who are willing to incorporate it into their own practice.
Haugan, G., Rannestad, T., Garasen, H., & Espnes, G. (2011). The Self-Transcendence Scale. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 147–159.
Kliewer, S. (2004). Allowing spirituality into the healing process. The Journal of Family Practice, 53(8), 616–624.
Kozier, B., Erb, G., Berman, A., & Snyder, S. (2004). Fundamentals of nursing: Concepts, process and practice (7th ed.). Prentice Hall.
Monareng, L. V. (2012). Spiritual nursing care: A concept analysis. Journal of the Democratic Nursing Organization of South Africa.
Palmer, B., Quinn, M. G., Palmer, R., & Fitzpatrick, J. (2010). Self-transcendence and work engagement in acute care staff registered nurses. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 138–147.
Reed, P. (2009). Demystifying self-transcendence for mental health nursing practice and research. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 397–400.
Touhy, T. A., Brown, C., & Smith, C. J. (2005). Spiritual caring: End of life in a nursing home. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 27–35.
Villagomeza, L. R. (2005). Spiritual distress in adult cancer patients: Toward conceptual clarity. Holistic Nursing Practice, 19(6), 285–294.
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