Explicit and Implicit Assumptions (Values/Beliefs) Underlying the Theory Interpretation of Leininger’s Definition of the Culture Care Theory

The culture care theory has numerous underlying assumptions that have developed criticism amongst the postulates and opponents of the theory. Sagar (2012) attests that the culture theory holds that diverse cultures perceive, understand, and exercise care in different ways. However, Leininger failed to explain the application of the theory where cultures exhibit common behaviours owing to the shared values, norms, attitudes, practices, knowledge, and/or language among other cultural characteristics. The theory also assumes that cultural values, beliefs, and practices remain the same for a particular culture. Undoubtedly, these cultural factors change with time due to modernity and influence. In addition, Leininger stresses the importance of rounded assessment of individuals, families, groups, and/or institutions in an attempt to deliver culturally congruent care. The evaluation of individuals in the process of cultural analysis forces the nurse to seek inherent cultural knowledge and values that exist within the client. In fact, these cultural valuation techniques pose the risk of time shortcomings where patient cases demand urgency. Furthermore, the theory assumes the importance of knowledge about curing and healing. The author puts more emphasis on the care concept. Inopportunely, the fact that care is the central focus of nursing does not necessarily guarantee cure and healing. Regardless of their relationship with culture care, cure and healing are inherent processes that occur within the patient (Jeffreys, 2008).

Metaparadigm Concepts of Leininger’s Nursing Theory

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Leininger’s culture care theory describes three of the four metaparadigms of nursing, namely people, nursing, and health. The nurse anthropologist perceives people as beings who have intrinsic capabilities of showing concern about the needs, wellbeing, and sustained being of others (Jeffreys, 2008). According to Leininger, human care is a collective practice that is existent among universally diverse communities. Leininger used the concept to explain why human beings exist in a multiplicity of cultures by their universality nature that prompts them to provide care for each other within diverse cultural settings that have varied needs (Butts & Rich, 2010). As Leininger explains in her theory, nursing is a culture care paradigm that she used to emphasise the importance of cultural congruence. Nurses need to appreciate the knowledge about culture care for the best nursing customs. Finally, she defines health as a condition of an individual or group’s wellbeing that characterises culturally defined values and practices that necessitate everyday activities in socially expressive, valuable, and premeditated ways of life. However, Leininger does not incorporate environment in her culture care theory. Instead, the nurse anthropologist talks about worldviews, social constructions, and societal contexts (Butts & Rich, 2010).

Clarity of the Theory

Statistical findings indicate that the application of transcultural concepts in nursing contexts has improved the health status of many patients who suffer from diverse health conditions (Sagar, 2012). The use of transcultural theory surpasses the wide-ranging human culture due to its universality that has facilitated the development of rounded health practices. Although many nurses have realised the importance of cultural nursing and appreciation of diverse cultures, the theory has failed to provide clarity in various nursing phenomena. Jeffreys (2008) reveals that the theory has sometimes led to the formulation of imprecise clinical decisions, especially where nurses fail to draw clear inferences about cultural congruence. This situation leads to outcome imperceptions pertaining to the valuation of patients. In addition, Leininger’s nursing theory fails to provide a lucid insight into disease symptoms and the processes of administering cure.

Application