John R. Phillips

An exploration of perception of body boundary, personal space, and body size in elderly persons.

A study of 108 elderly persons using the Body Distortion Questionnaire and the personal space simulation technique test did not support hypotheses that elderly persons with a large personal space will have a larger distortion of body boundary, a larger perception of large body size, a smaller perception of small body size, a larger distortion of body size, and a larger body distortion than elderly persons with a small personal space. The analyses with one-tail t tests showed elderly persons with a small personal space have a larger perception of large body size and a larger distortion of body size than elderly persons with a large personal space. When the extremes of personal space were used the results were the same. Males have a larger personal space and greater distortion of skin perceptions than females.

The Different Views of Health

* New York University. New York, NY Health is an enigma, both from a theoretical and a research perspective. The enigmatic nature of health gives evidence of its lack of verification as an empirical fact and objective phenomenon (Balog, 1982). Currently, there are no universal norms of health; perceptions vary across individuals and cultures, depending on the meaning and importance people give to it. This allows for many definitions of health; people presuppose what health is and offer definitions congruent with their world-

Guest Editorial New Methods of Research: Beyond the Shadows of Nursing Science

* New York University, New York, NY. Plato’s allegory of the cave, where the prisoners mistake shadows as true reality, can be used to look at nursing and nursing research. One reality of nursing, likened to the prisoners’ reality of appearances, consists of nurses who research shadows of the knowledge that underlies the true reality of nursing science. There is another reality of nursing where nurses conduct research to generate substantive nursing knowledge. In doing so, they do not hold on to truths that are reflective

Science of Unitary Human Beings: Changing Research Perspectives

There is a long history of research using Rogers’ model. Rogers has fertilized the thoughts of many people concerned with the creation of nursing science. This fertilization began primarily with doctoral students and faculty who were stimulated by Rogers’ ideas as she created the model, and it became more pronounced after the publication of her book, An Introduction to the Theoretical Basis of Nursing (Rogers, 1970). Today, this fertilization is evidenced whereby her model is one of the most frequently used for research. The research perspective evolving from the use of Rogers’ model has changed over the years. This changing perspective is related to factors such as Rogers’ refinement of the model, people’s better understanding of the model, greater sophistication in use of research methodologies in nursing, and the emergence of new knowledge. An analysis of this changing perspective gives greater clarity to the research studies derived from the model and highlights the potential of the model for the creation of nursing science through research.

The Universality of Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings

The universality of Rogers’ science is discussed within the context of science and religion with an emphasis on an alive universe. Barrett’s power theory is presented as an exemplar of the universality of Rogers’ science. The implications of an alive universe are discussed. Rogers and Barrett are recognized for their contributions to nursing science and the sacred alive universe.

Martha E. Rogers Heretic and Heroine

Rhythms of Martha Rogers’ life and work are presented showing her evolution as a heretic and a heroine through her heretical thinking. New concepts of unitariology, energyspirit, wellbecoming, integral presence, and soul are presented with their relevance for advancing Rogers’ science of unitary human beings. New dimensions of practice make explicit pandimensional ministering to humankind and living in the universe.

Response: Diggers of Deeper Holes

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Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings Beyond the Frontier of Science

Rogers’ development of her science is discussed along with purpose and meaning of changes that she made over a period of years. Explication of her science and her characteristics highlight how she went beyond the frontier of science. A new theory derived from her science shows the significance of the unity of pandimensional awareness and integral presence. Speculation is made of the universe energyspirit as a uniton.

New Rogerian Theoretical Thinking About Unitary Science

A theory of pandimensional awareness-integral presence is presented. The relation of wellbecoming and integral presence contributes to the theory, as well as discussion of human field image and human field hugs. Unitary patterning processes offer ways to participate in wellbecoming. New ways are suggested for education, practice, and research in a unitary science perspective.

Creating an Epiphany with Martha E. Rogers

Creating an epiphany or integral manifestation with Martha Rogers is discussed in the context of her science of unitary human beings, Barrett’s power theory, and yinyang. It is shown how Martha’s science is related to an epiphany with her. Questions are raised and speculations are made about an epiphany with Martha living in the universe and about gender.