Theory of Meaning

Running Head: THEORY OF MEANING
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Theory of Meaning by Patricia Starck

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Nursing is a profession that is ever-evolving due to many factors such as changes in societal patterns, new research and discoveries, new emerging technologies, new diseases and treatments, etc. For this very reason, some nurses have taken the time to take a step back to look at nursing as a profession and the populations we serve. They have done research, and based on

Running Head: THEORY OF MEANING

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observations of current practice, they have written theories so our patients and communities can benefit from competent and reliable nursing care. This is precisely what Patricia Lee Starck did and continues to do. She is one of the admirable nurses that researched and in the process, explored a theory and its applications for the benefit of her patients. She expanded the Theory of
Meaning, which was developed by Jewish psychiatrist and neurologist Viktor Frankl before and during the Second World War when he was captured and served as slave laborers in Nazi concentration camps. There he was able to observe human behavior in midst of death and suffering and used this experience to further develop his theory.
Patricia Starck became interested in the theory of meaning while she was working with young man suffering spinal cord injury during her doctorate level coursework at the University of Alabama in the 1970’s. She contacted Dr. Frankl to find out more about his theory and the therapy associated with it (called Logotherapy), in the hope that it would help her patients find meaning in life despite their tragedies. Since then, many other nurses have used this theory to help their patients. Today, Patricia Lee Starck, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N is currently dean of The
University of Texas’ Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing. Starck has spent forty five years in nursing education and has led

References: Fitzpatrick, J. J. (2006). Middle Range Theory of Meaning. Encyclopedia of nursing research (2nd ed) Frankl, V. (1984). Logotherapy in a nutshell. Man 's search for meaning (3rd ed). New York: Touchstone. Jones, J., Fitzpatrick, J., & Rogers, V. (2012). Theories of Mental Health and Illness. Psychiatricmental health nursing: An interpersonal approach. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Roy, S. C (2014). Generating Middle Range Theory From Evidence to Practice. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Smith, M. J., & Liehr, P. (2014). Theory of Meaning. Middle range theory for nursing (3rd ed) Starck, P. L. (1979). Spinal cord injured clients ̓ perception of meaning and purpose in life measurement before and after nursing intervention Starck, P. L. & McGovern, J. P. (1992). The Meaning of Suffering. The Hidden Dimension of Illness: Human Suffering