Whall’s evaluation criteria is being applied to gather knowledge of the theoretical adequacy regarding Beck’s Theory of Postpartum Depression. The research article “From Practice to Midrange Theory and Back Again” chronicles this substantive midrange nursing theory of Cheryl Tatano Beck (Lasiuk & Ferguson, 2005). As referenced by the authors, the major concepts of Beck’s theory are clearly identified as loss of control, encountering terror, dying of self, struggling to survive, and regaining control (Lasiuk & Ferguson, 2005).
Beck first determined the core concept or basic psychological issue of postpartum mood disorder as loss of control (Beck, 1993). Women suffering from this disorder lack control over their emotions,
thought processes, and actions which Beck referred to as walking a fine line between sanity and insanity (Beck, 1993). The remaining four concepts or stages emerged from the data analysis, of Beck’s grounded theory study, as the participants attempted to cope with the issue concerning the core concept - loss of control (Beck, 1993). In regards to the concept of dying of self, Beck illustrated a partial audit trail for the construct of this concept from the data (Lasiuk & Ferguson, 2005).
Furthermore, Beck precisely explained the major concepts and supported them with direct quotes from the participants of the study (Lasiuk & Ferguson, 2005). These major concepts are moderately abstract since the phenomena of postpartum depression is measured indirectly rather than through observed evidence. For each major concept, three levels of coding were identified (Beck, 1993). The linear design of the diagram is structured so that the concepts serve as headings which explicate the progression and relationship toward the psychological process used to resolve the fundamental issue of postpartum depression (Beck, 1993).
Internal analysis and evaluation:
References
Beck, C. T. (1993). Teetering on the edge: a substantive theory of postpartum depression. Nursing Research, 42(1), 42-48.
Lasiuk, G. C., & Ferguson, L. M. (2005). From practice to midrange theory and back again. Advances in Nursing Science, 28(2), 127-136.