The Roy Adaptation Model was first presented in the literature in an article published in Nursing Outlook in 1970 entitled “Adaptation: A Conceptual Framework for Nursing.” In the same year, Roy’s Adaptation Model of Nursing was adapted in Mount St. Mary’s School in Los Angeles, California.
Roy’s model was conceived when nursing theorist Dorothy Johnson challenged her students during a seminar to develop conceptual models of nursing. Johnson’s nursing model was the impetus for the development of Roy’s Adaptation Model.
Roy’s model incorporated concepts from Adaptation-level Theory of Perception from renown American physiological psychologist Harry Helson, Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s System Model, and Anatol Rapoport’s system definition.
Integrated Process
The various modes and subsystems meet the needs of the environment. These are usually stable processes (e.g., breathing, spiritual realization, successful relationship).
Compensatory Process
The cognator and regulator are challenged by the needs of the environment, but are working to meet the needs (e.g., grief, starting with a new job, compensatory breathing).
Compromised Process
The modes and subsystems are not adequately meeting the environmental challenge (e.g., hypoxia, unresolved loss, abusive relationships).
Six-Step Nursing Process
- Assess the behaviors manifested from the four adaptive modes.
- Assess the stimuli, categorize them as focal, contextual, or residual.
- Make a statement or nursing diagnosis of the person’s adaptive state.
- Set a goal to promote adaptation.
- Implement interventions aimed at managing the stimuli.
- Evaluate whether the adaptive goal has been met.