Theoretical Framework
This study was guided by critical social theory,
and the research model was participatory action
research. Based on critical social theory, nursing
practice in developmental care was initiated by the
staff nurses rather than by managers or academics,
the latter of whom have little current clinical
experience; indeed, the staff nurses had previously
experienced oppressive social conditions which had
prevented them from exercising their potential.
Notably, when many practice guidelines were
developed predominantly by the Nursing Section
and then sent to the wards, the nurses who were
familiar with this top-down kind of practice lacked
any purposeful participation in the decision-making.
The PAR approach helped to empower participants
by their active participation as co-researchers in the
study in order to initiate actions and changes during
the research process that could be sustained once
the project was completed. Problems and solutions
were identified by the nurses themselves. This