Watson’s Caring Theory
Carative factors:
1. Formation of humanistic-
altruistic system of values.
2. Instillation of faith-hope
3. Cultivation of sensitivity to
one’s self and to others
4. Development of a helping-
trusting, human caring relation
5. Promotion and acceptance of
the expression of positive and
Caritas processes:
Practice of loving-kindness
and equanimity within the
context of caring
consciousness.
Being authentically present
and enabling and
sustaining a deep belief
system and subjective life-
world of self and one being
cared for.
Cultivation of one’s own
spiritual practices and
transpersonal self, going
beyond the ego self.
Developing and sustaining
a helping trusting authentic
caring relationship
Being present to, and
supportive of positive and
Interpretation: Examples:
Giving of yourself to
others. Valuing the well-
being of others and
practising kindness.
Displaying composure,
even under stress.
Encouraging hope and
faith to give holistic
nursing care. Support
client to adapt health-
seeking behaviours.
Recognizing your own
feelings and values to
become more self-aware.
Recognizing the same in
others.
Developing an open and
honest relationship with
the client, using effective
verbal and non-verbal
communication.
Accepting the client’s
feelings even when they
negative feelings.
6. Systematic use of a creative
problem solving caring process
7. The promotion of
transpersonal teaching-learning
8. Provision of supportive,
protective, and/or, corrective
mental, physical, societal, and
spiritual environment
9. Assistance with the
gratification of human needs
negative feelings as a
connection with deeper
spirit and self and the one-
being-cared for.
Creative use of self and all
ways of knowing as part of
the caring process; to
engage in the artistry of
caring-healing practices
Engaging in genuine
teaching-learning
experience that attends to
unity of being and meaning,
attempting to stay within
others’ frame of reference.
Creating healing
environment at all levels
(physical as well as non-
physical, subtle
environment of energy and
consciousness, whereby
wholeness, beauty,
comfort, dignity, and peace
are potentiated)
Assisting with basic needs,
with an intentional caring
consciousness,
administering ‘human care
are different your own.
Understanding that
feelings are sometimes
negative.
Using the nursing process
to approach care. Coming
up with creative ways to
resolve problems.
Teaching techniques that
facilitate self-care.
Responsibility for wellness
lies with the patient.
Creating an environment
conducive to healing
Helping clients to satisfy
their basic needs. ‘Lower-
order’ needs (food, water,
sleep, elimination etc.)
 essentials’, which must be met first
potentiate alignment of
mind body spirit,
wholeness, and unity of
being in all aspects of care

10. Allowance for existential-
phenomenological-spiritual
forces
Opening and attending to
spiritual-mysterious and
existential dimensions of
one’s own life-death; soul
care for self and the one-
being-cared for
‘Soul care’ for yourself
and others. Helping
people to find meaning in
their life.