Transcending options: creating a milieu for practicing high level wellness

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between living in a female-headed, one-parent family and the family's practice of prevention behaviors. The family is a client of nursing. However, a dearth of knowledge exists on the practice of prevention behaviors in families. Since a scarcity of knowledge exists on this phenomenon, a factor-searching study was conducted. The tenets of ground theory, particularly constant comparative analysis and theoretical sampling, were followed to collect and analyze the data. Participants in the study included female-headed, one-parent families as well as data sources which provided a societal perspective on the phenomenon. The completed study included 59 female-headed, one-parent families, 21 professionals, one therapy group, and a review of the literature as well as other types of media. Nonstructured interviews were conducted with the families and professionals. Each family also completed a health diary and a card sort. Nonparticipant observation was used to collect data at the group meetings. The grounded theory that emerged is the theory of transcending options in which the family, through the woman, is able to exceed the societal norms for a female-headed, one-parent family. This theory is on a continuum and is cumulative. The beginning point of the theory is choosing options and the intermediate point is seeking options. The societal factors influencing the family members' interpretation of their situation are integrated into this theory. The family members' prevention behaviors are a subset of their life circumstances which are described by this theory. The implications for nursing are twofold. First, the theory can be applied to individual families in order to facilitate their growth. Second, this theory has implications for social action that will benefit female-headed, one-parent families.