Application of Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model in Latin America: a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Literature published during the period from 1996 to 2009 was reviewed to identify progress towards applying Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model in Latin America. Of the 163 documents found, 45 were selected and classified by the authors into seven categories, according to the purpose of the studies. The findings indicate the model has been applied primarily in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. Most of the reported studies are descriptive; they feature intentional samples and were conducted with chronically ill persons and their caregivers. The results show a change in a particular mode of adaptation affects all the others, and that some stimuli influence the individual’s adaptation pro­cess. This analysis demonstrates the need to reinforce the development of qualitative and quantitative studies intended to expand what is known about the phenomenon of adaptation; it also underscores the importance of consolidating networks of researchers in Latin America to strengthen progress towards developing the Roy Model and to measure its application in practice.