Abstract
Maslow’s theory implies that human needs can be arranged in a hierarchical structure, and it states that primary needs come to the forefront if they are not satisfied. If a person meets their basic needs, then the needs of a higher level become more important. Generally, the approach was developed based on the theory of human motivation developed in the early 1940s. The central thesis of this approach can be concluded to the idea that the importance of values will change depending on a person’s well-being. However, a person will never experience a feeling of complete satisfaction of their needs. Maslow’s approach is important and relevant in the system of training nurses since it is the basis for further studying of human needs and developing a model of professional activity. The theory can be used as guidance and part of the positive psychology approach when handling chronically ill patients with self-management inefficiencies.
The approach to be discussed in this paper is Maslow’s theory, according to which human needs can be organized in a hierarchical structure. This approach assumes that primary needs almost always come to the forefront if they are not satisfied. At the same time, if a person meets their basic needs, then secondary needs become more important. In the case when the needs of the lower level are not satisfied, this affects the human motivation system. This approach is also known as needs theory or needs hierarchy (Healy, 2016). The origins of the approach go back to the work on the theory of human motivation, which was developed in the early 1940s. Then it was transformed into a book on the relationship between motivation and personality, which was written 11 years later after the first work. Initially, this approach was used to study the biographies of famous personalities in diverse areas of knowledge. It is important that only creative, healthy people were analyzed, which distorted the author’s conclusions and made them inapplicable in many cases. The purpose of this paper is to discuss this theory as applied to nursing.
Summary of the Theory
It is worth noting that the central thesis of this approach can be concluded to the idea that values will replace each other depending on the well-being of a person. With the development of personality, the potential of a person also expands, while the need for self-expression can never be fully satisfied. The unique concept of this theory is that the process of motivating a person’s behavior through their needs is endless (Tripathi, 2018). It is not necessary to satisfy the needs of a lower level fully in order for the next, higher level of the hierarchy of needs to be triggered. Even if at any given moment, one of the considered needs prevails, a person is guided not only by it in their activity. It is important that physiological needs constitute a basic level, and they consist of primary human needs, which are unconscious at times.
The need for security includes the desire to feel protected from the physical and psychological dangers of the outside world and the belief that physiological (material) needs will be satisfied in the future. People living in a peaceful, stable, well-functioning society are not afraid of predators, heat, frost, criminals; they are not in danger of chaos or oppression (Tripathi, 2018). In such an environment, the need for security does not have a significant effect on motivation. In a stable society, for healthy people, the need for security is manifested in aspirations to get a job in a company that provides social guarantees. The next level is associated with social needs, which suggests that when the satisfaction of physiological and safety needs has been achieved, a person’s attention is shifted towards the need for friendship, love, and belonging.
The need for respect is still at a higher level in this hierarchy, and it can be divided into two categories. The first category is the desires and aspirations of a person, which are directly related to their achievements. The second category covers the need for having a good reputation or prestige and the desire to gain status, attention, recognition, fame (Tripathi, 2018). The need for self-expression is at the highest level, which is practically unattainable. When the needs of the four lower levels are satisfied, the person focuses their attention on satisfying the desire for self-realization. Striving to achieve this, people try to realize their full potential and expand their abilities. The understanding that human needs can be arranged in hierarchical order is important for the society. The needs of the lower levels need to be satisfied in the first place, and then the needs of higher levels can be addressed. At the same time, a person will never experience a feeling of complete satisfaction of their needs.
Aspects of Nursing
According to the metaparadigm of nursing, a comprehensive concept of a person means that they are viewed from the perspective of their physical, psychological, and social needs. The concept of a person includes an understanding of the value of human life, which depends on the environment directly (Charalambous & Kelly, 2018). The physical essence of a person is limited to the collection of organs, while the sensory side of a person’s mental characteristics includes memory, thinking, aspirations and feelings, as well as hope. Maslow’s Pyramid supports this understanding, and it examines a person from the point of view of their changing motivations caused by various internal and environmental factors.
Two other concepts intersecting with the pyramid are health and care. The former does not mean only the absence of a disease but rather good physical, mental, and social balance. At the same time, healthcare is one of the key factors that contribute to a patient’s health (Shih et al., 2019). The nurse should be able to educate, teach, and advise the client so that they can manage as much as possible independently in their everyday life. Thus, the specialist will be able to verify that the basic needs of the patient are met.
Maslow’s approach is important and relevant for the system of training nurses since it is the basis for further studying of human needs and developing a model of professional activity. It allows taking a fresh look at the functions of a medical professional. If earlier they only took care of ill patients, at present, nursing staff, together with other specialists, maintains health, prevents diseases, and ensures maximum independence of a person in accordance with their individual capabilities. Notably, the satisfaction of human needs depends on external and internal factors. External factors, which determine the degree of satisfaction of needs, include environmental conditions. Genetic factors that cannot be changed include age, gender, heredity. Risk factors affecting a person’s lifestyle can lead to impaired satisfaction of needs. Thus, all concepts of the metaparadigm directly intersect with the levels of the pyramid.
Application
The theory can be used for chronically ill patients with self-management inefficiencies who need to be cared for from the position of positive psychology (Butts & Rich, 2018). A patient with a chronic disease is an individual who has a set of interconnected biological, psychological, and social systems that influence their behavior. The need for nursing care arises when there is a lack or excess of opportunities for using one or another adaptation method in a person’s environment. From the point of view of positive psychology, when examining a patient, effective adaptation methods should be established in cases where their behavior causes concerns. In this scenario, the healthcare specialist needs to determine the degree of influence of this stimulus on the patient’s behavior (Butts & Rich, 2018). Pragmatic adequacy in this setting may be limited to an understanding that the role of the nurse in this environment is to facilitate adaptation by influencing the focal stimuli. That is, this approach is compatible with this specific practice situation in which a nurse takes care of chronically ill patients by affecting their basic needs.
In its turn, social meaningfulness is reflected in the fact that chronically ill patients have fundamental human needs that are the same for all people. Regardless of whether a person is sick or healthy, a nurse should always bear in mind the vital needs of the individual (Liu, Aungsuroch, & Yunibhand, 2016). Problems arise when a client, due to certain circumstances, is not able to take care of themselves. When examining a patient, the nurse needs to discuss with them the conditions for the provision of nursing care (Butts & Rich, 2018). The application of this approach is feasible since it requires nurses to determine strategies that will help adapt the process of care to a patient’s needs. They will be able to understand how they can utilize the resources available to them to meet the needs that are dominating at this specific moment. After this has been done, they can change the process of care in a way that encourages the patient to function as independently as possible.
Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded that Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs is relevant for nursing practice. It can be particularly helpful when caring for chronically ill patients with self-management inefficiencies, whose basic needs should be addressed first. It is important that the satisfaction of the basic needs of a patient does not imply that they will become motivated for self-care and self-sustaining. Nevertheless, the nurse’s task is to direct efforts in this direction to improve the patient’s quality of life by turning them into a more independent individual.
References
Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. L. (2018). Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Charalambous, A., & Kelly, D. (2018). Promoting a safety culture through effective nursing leadership in cancer care. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 36, vi-vii.
Healy, K. (2016). A theory of human motivation by Abraham H. Maslow (1942). The British Journal of Psychiatry, 208(4), 313-313.
Liu, Y., Aungsuroch, Y., & Yunibhand, J. (2016). Job satisfaction in nursing: A concept analysis study. International Nursing Review, 63(1), 84-91.
Shih, C. Y., Huang, C. Y., Huang, M. L., Chen, C. M., Lin, C. C., & Tang, F. I. (2019). The association of sociodemographic factors and needs of haemodialysis patients according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(1-2), 270-278.
Tripathi, N. (2018). A valuation of Abraham Maslow’s theory of self-actualization for the enhancement of quality of life. Indian Journal of Health and wellbeing, 9(3), 499-504.