Illness and injury can have many effects on a person. This can cause extreme physiological changes, which may be temporary or permanent. This can lead to low self-esteem and a negative self-image. A person may have difficulty coping because they are unable to meet social responsibilities and develop guilt or shame because they need some form of help to care for of him. Using Roy's theory of adaptation, nurses can help patients meet their new internal and external environmental demands and develop coping mechanisms to help them adapt to these changes. As a nurse working in the behavioral health field, I can use Roy's theory of adaptation to help my patients develop stronger coping mechanisms and adapt to their environment. Roy's Adaptation Theory Sister Callista Roy developed adaptation theory as a way of viewing patients as an adaptive system. Roy hypothesized that the role of nurses is to help patients meet the different needs resulting from illness and that all individuals must adapt to these environmental demands, which includes basic physiological needs, the development of a positive self-image, exercise of social roles and achievement. a balance between dependence and independence. Through observation, nurses can determine which environmental demands are causing patients' problems and how well they are adapting to them. Based on these observations, nurses can then focus their care to help the patient adapt to these new demands. This will help the patient understand their strengths and limitations and will lead to better patient outcomes. Coping Mechanisms To properly use Roy's adaptive theory, nurses must begin by assessing the patient. This involves carrying out a physical assessment...... middle of paper ......e of positive changes in one's life. To address her need to develop social roles, I encouraged her to attend and participate in group sessions and begin socializing with her peers. To help her find a balance between dependence and independence, I encouraged her to take ownership of her medication regimen. I provided her with educational materials regarding all of her medications and encouraged her to keep a journal detailing her reactions to each medication. This way, she could accurately inform the doctor about the effectiveness of her medication adjustment. Conclusion Using Roy's theory is a great way for nurses to help their patients adapt to their health care environment. Through appropriate assessment and effective physical and psychological interventions, patients can experience a greater sense of independence and develop a positive self-image..