A theory for pediatric oncology nursing practice and research.

This article describes the development and application of a theoretical framework that can be used to guide pediatric oncology nursing practice and research. The framework's six dimensions provide the nurse with an approach to comprehensive assessment and intervention with families of children with cancer. These dimensions are: systems (individual, family, community, society); mediating variables (identifying characteristics, orientation to life); time; adaptation variables (stressors, coping strategies); level of functioning (tasks, capabilities, needs); and intervention.