Four Adaptive Modes

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Roy (1976) describes health as being a state of successful positive adaptation to stimuli from the environment interfering with basic need satisfaction and threatening to disrupt the equilibrium. Health reflects the adaptation process and is demonstrated by adaptation in each of four integrated adaptive modes: physiologic, self-concept, role function, and interdependence (Roy, 1976). The integration of these four adaptive modes reflects wholeness. Health refers to a process that individuals are trying to achieve their maximum potential. This process is manifested in healthy people who exercise regularly, do not smoke, and pay special attention to the terminal stages of cancer in order to take control over symptoms, such as pain, and strive …show more content…

Therefore, all stimuli, whether internal or external, are part of the person's environment. The main goal of the interaction between the person and the environment is to maintain balance and growth. Within her model, Roy (1976) specifically categorizes stimuli as focal, contextual, and residual. Focal stimuli refer to the stimuli that are most immediately confronting a person. Contextual stimuli are all other stimuli that might have a positive or negative influence on the situation. Residual stimuli are internal and external factors that may be affecting the individual or group. When a residual stimulus is identified, it usually becomes a contextual stimulus but may turn out to be the focal stimulus (Roy, 1976). Changes in the environments can affect the development and behaviour of the person and threaten his integrity (Roy & Andrews, …show more content…

Furthermore, relationship statements that can be seen are usually peripheral to the core of the theory. The Roy Adaptation Model is comprised of four adaptive modes that make up the specific categories that serve as framework for assessment. The following information is directly quoted from McEwen & Wills (2007), as cited in Roy & Andrews (1999), that describes all four modes within the RAM:
Physiologic-physical mode: physical and chemical processes involved in the function and activities of living organisms; the underlying need is physiologic integrity as seen in the degree of wholeness achieved through adaptation to changes in needs. In groups, this is the manner in which human systems manifest adaptation relative to basic operating resources.
Self-concept-group identity mode: focuses on psychological and spiritual integrity and a sense of unity, meaning, and purposefulness in the universe.
Role function mode: refers to the roles that individuals occupy in society fulfilling the need for social integrity, it is knowing who one is, in relation to

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