Nurses’ role in environmental disasters: a reflection in light of Callista Roy's theory
Actuación de los enfermeros ante desastres ambientales: reflexión a la luz de la teoría de Callista Roy
Atuação dos enfermeiros frente aos desastres ambientais: uma reflexão à luz da teoria de Callista Roy
Thais Amanda Rossa; Giulia Meneses Menon; Natan David Pereira; Débora Regina de Oliveira Moura; Raquel de Deus Mendonça; Mayckel da Silva Barreto
Abstract
Objective to reflect on nurses’ role in environmental disaster situations, using Callista Roy’s Adaptation Theory as a framework.
Method a reflective essay that emerged from discussions in a graduate-level Nursing course, in line with the four adaptive modes proposed by Callista Roy and in the literature on nursing practice in environmental disaster situations.
Results environmental disasters should be understood as complex social processes, with direct and indirect impacts on public health, including physical harm, psychological distress, social disruption, and overload of health services. Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model proved to be a relevant framework for interpreting these responses, as it allows the identification of focal, contextual, and residual stimuli, as well as regulatory and cognator coping mechanisms. The application of the four adaptive modes made it possible to organize Nursing actions ranging from immediate physical care to emotional support, reorganization of social roles, and strengthening of community support networks.
Final considerations and implications for the practice Roy’s Theory is relevant to guide Nursing practice in environmental disasters, as it promotes a comprehensive and systematic approach to care and management. By placing adaptation at the center of the intervention, the model supports practices for community recovery and resilience.
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Resumo
Objetivo: refletir sobre a atuação do enfermeiro frente aos desastres e às catástrofes ambientais à luz da Teoria da Adaptação de Callista Roy.
Método: ensaio reflexivo que emergiu das discussões em uma disciplina de Pós-graduação em Enfermagem, o qual se encontra ancorado nos quatro modos adaptativos propostos por Roy e na literatura sobre a atuação do enfermeiro em situações de desastre ambiental.
Resultados: os desastres e as catástrofes ambientais devem ser compreendidos como processos sociais complexos, com impactos diretos e indiretos sobre a saúde pública, incluindo agravos físicos, sofrimento psíquico, rupturas sociais e sobrecarga dos serviços de saúde. O Modelo da Adaptação mostrou-se consistente para interpretar tais respostas, ao permitir identificar estímulos focais, contextuais e residuais e os mecanismos regulador e cognador. A aplicação dos modos adaptativos possibilita organizar a atuação do enfermeiro desde o cuidado físico imediato até o suporte emocional, a reorganização de papéis sociais e o fortalecimento das redes de apoio comunitário.
Considerações finais e implicações para a prática: a Teoria da Adaptação permite orientar a atuação do enfermeiro em desastres ambientais, favorecendo uma abordagem integral e sistematizada do cuidado e da gestão. Ao colocar a adaptação no centro da intervenção, o modelo subsidia práticas voltadas à recuperação e resiliência das comunidades.
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References
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Accepted date:
03/18/2026
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