title: Principle-based concept analysis: intentionality in holistic nursing theories.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This is a report of a principle-based concept analysis of intentionality in holistic nursing theories.
  
  
  METHODS
  A principle-based concept analysis method was used to analyze seven holistic theories. The data included eight books and 31 articles (1998-2011), which were retrieved through MEDLINE and CINAHL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Erickson, Kriger, Parse, Watson, and Zahourek define intentionality as a capacity, a focused consciousness, and a pattern of human being. Rogers and Newman do not explicitly mention intentionality; however, they do explain pattern and consciousness (epistemology). Intentionality has been operationalized as a core concept of nurse-client relationships (pragmatic). The theories are consistent on intentionality as a noun and as an attribute of the person-intentionality is different from intent and intention (linguistic). There is ambiguity concerning the boundaries between intentionality and consciousness (logic). Theoretically, intentionality is an evolutionary capacity to integrate human awareness and experience. Because intentionality is an individualized concept, we introduced it as "a matrix of continuous known changes" that emerges in two forms: as a capacity of human being and as a capacity of transpersonal caring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has produced a theoretical definition of intentionality and provides a foundation for future research to further investigate intentionality to better delineate its boundaries.
authors.affiliation: Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Nahid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aghebati
authors.affiliation: Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran mohamade@modares.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Eesa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.affiliation: Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Fazlollah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Khosrow Bagheri
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Noaparast
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003243:Consciousness; D004645:Empathy; D006694:Holistic Health; D018939:Holistic Nursing; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009742:Nursing Theory
keywords: holistic nursing theories; intentionality; principle-based concept analysis; transpersonal caring