The Praxis Theory of Suffering consists of two major states, enduring and emotional suffering. When enduring the person suppresses emotional response to whatever is being suffered. They deliberately block thoughts of the event, and thereby block emotional responses. They maintain an immediate focus, blocking the past and the future, thus controlling thoughts of what the potential outcome of the event may mean. They focus on one step, one task at a time. This cognitive suppression reduces the emotional response, removes panic, and enables day-to-day functioning. However, the suppression requires constant vigilance and effort, and the process of suppressing the events and the motions may also suppress behavior, produce a flat affect, create a monotone voice, and loss of spontaneous movement, probably a lumbering gait. They speak in short sentences, in a monotone, barely moving their lips. They have an unfocused, gaze and little facial expression.

People who are enduring think they are coping well, even though they may make poor judgments (such as driving through red lights and stopping at the green). Others may stand away from them, avoid touching them, or just stand quietly or be with them.

Emotional suffering is a state in which the person recognizes that which is being suffered, and responds with weeping and distress. They have a hunched posture, a distraught expression, and cry and may talk incessantly about their suffering. Other are moved to comfort and support the person, including coming close and using touch.

19

Madeline Leininger stated that nurses must have knowledge about different cultural backgrounds and the diverse influences that impact them, with emphasis on the importance of performing a cultural assessment that would include recording of observations using all five senses: paying close attention and listening, identification of patterns and narratives, synthesis of themes and patterns, and development of a culturally congruent care plan jointly with the client.

According to Watson , the word nurse is both noun and verb. To her, nursing consists of “knowledge, thought, values, philosophy, commitment, and action, with some degree of passion” .Nurses are interested in understanding health, illness, and the human experience; promoting and restoring health; and preventing illness.

Summary

20

Butts, J.B. & Rich, K.L. (2015). Philosophies and Theories for Advanced Nursing Practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning Inc. ISBN 978-1-284-04134-7

Ingram R (2011) Using Campinha-Bacote's process of cultural competence model to examine the relationship between health literacy and cultural competence. J Adv Nurs 7: 695-703.

Leininger, M. (2002) Culture care theory: a major contribution to advance transcultural nursing knowledge and practices. J Trans cult Nurs 13: 189-192.

Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The philosophy and science of caring (Rev. ed.). Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado.

References

21