Adaptation: the process and result where thinking and feeling persons use conscious awareness and choice to produce human and environmental integration. Roy's Adaptation Model is composed of modes of behavior, classes of stimuli, and two subsystems.


Four adaptive modes of behavior resulting from coping: physiologic, self-concept, role function, & interdependent relationships





Classes of stimuli:The combined effect of these stimuli show the person's adaptation level. A person's adaptation level determines the zone that shows the range of stimulation that will have an adaptive response. If additional stimuli land outside the zone, the person is unable to respond postively, and thus, ineffective coping occurs.

Focal: directly confronting the person

Contextual: other stimuli present

Residual: Non-specific stimuli





Regulator subsystem Cognator subsystem
made up of mostly automatic neural, endocrine, and chemical activity includes cognitive-emotive pathways and presents perceptual/information processing, learning, judgment, and emotion



The desired outcome of the Adaptation Model is a position in which conditions promote the person's goals. The goal has been reached when any positive response from the recipient to the stimuli present releases energy for responses to other stimuli. The goal of adaptation is advanced through nursing assessment and intervention, including the client as an active participant.




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Leddy, S. & Pepper, J.M. (1998). Nursing model & theories: conceptual bases of professional nursing. (4th ed.)(pp. 165-181) Philadelphia: Lippincott.
1 George, J.B. (2002). Nursing theories: the base for professional nursing practice. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
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