Peplau Interpersonal Relations Theory: Background

[Lily Johnson]

The theory of interpersonal relations is one of the most commonly 
used nursing theories. It was developed by the theorist called 
Hildegard E. Peplau (Wayne, 2014). Peplau was born in 1909 in 
Pennsylvania, USA. She pursued a diploma program in Pottstown and 
graduated in 1931. Peplau attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 
interpersonal psychology from Bennington College in 1943 before 
pursuing an MA in psychiatric nursing from Columbia University in 
1947. In 1953, Peplau attained an EdD in curriculum development 
(Wayne, 2014).


She was awarded as a Professor Emeritus from Rutgers University, 
after which she embarked on a nursing post-baccalaureate program. 
In 1952, Peplau published interpersonal relations in Nursing. She 
also served as the president and executive director of ANA. 
Besides, Peplau worked with Nurse Corps, NIMH, and WHO. She later 
died in 1999 after making several achievements in nursing. 
Hildegard E. Peplau had a vast knowledge of nursing and 
interpersonal relations. After pursuing a BA degree in 
interpersonal psychology and advancing her studies by pursuing an 
MA in psychiatric nursing, Peplau realized the essence of 
promoting the development of interpersonal relations between 
patients and nurses (Masters, 2014).

Peplau’s vast experience in nursing and interpersonal psychology 
enabled her to develop the theory of interpersonal relations. 
This theory has been applied by a number of scholars in their 
researches. For example, Hays in 1961 made references to the 
theory when conducting research on the phases and steps that 
should be undertaken when conducting experimental teaching to 
patients who show anxiety. The study led to the conclusion that 
patients, who were taught using experimental methods, were in a 
better position to use the anxiety idea after the termination of 
the group. Similarly, the theory was referred to by F. Burd when 
developing and testing a nursing intervention framework to be 
used when dealing with anxious patients.

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