The mid-range theory of self-transcendence by Pamela G. Reeds was developed in 1990 (Reed, 1991). It was largely based on the approach of deductive reformulation. The deductive reformulation strategy emanated from Pamela’s professors during her time at Wayne State University. It involves the use of knowledge acquired from the non-nursing theory that is redrawn deductively from a nursing conceptual model, and the theorist used life span developmental psychology for adult social-cognitive and transpersonal development to reformulate this mid-range theory by applying the principles of Martha E. Roger’s conceptual system that describes the unitary human being (Reed, 1991).

1. PAMELA G.
REED
THEORY OF SELF TRANSCENDENCE
By: ROMMEL LUIS C. ISRAEL III

2. ABOUT PAMELA REED
Born in Detroit, Michigan
Baccalaureate degree from Wayne State
University-1974
Master of Science in psychiatric-mental health of
children and adolescents and in nursing
education-1976
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/

3. ABOUT PAMELA REED
Ph.D. concentration in nursing theory
and research, minor in adult
development and aging- 1982
Dissertation research focused on the
relationship between well-being and
spiritual perspectives on life and death
terminally ill and well individuals.
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/

4. TRANSCENDENCE
the state of excelling
or surpassing or going
beyond usual limits
Synonym:
Superiority,
Domination, Mastery,
Supremacy,
Importance,
Excellence, Greatness
Power to dominate or
defeat
a state of being or
existence above and
beyond the limits of
material experience

5. NURSING PARADIGM
PERSON: People are viewed as human
beings who develop over the lifespan
through interactions with other people
and within an environment of changing
complexity that could both positively
and negatively contribute to health and
well-being.
ENVIRONMENT: The environment is
composed of family, social networks,
physical surroundings, and community
resources, all of which make significant
contributions to the health processes
that nurses influence through their
management of the therapeutic
interactions among people, objects, and
nursing activities.
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/

6. NURSING PARADIGM
HEALTH: Defines health in the
context of well-being. Well-
being is a sense of feeling
whole and healthy, according
to one’s own criteria for
wholeness and health.
NURSING: The role of nursing
activity is to assist people
through interpersonal and
therapeutic management of
their environment to promote
health and well-being.
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/

7. DR. REED’S 2 MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS
•Human beings are integral to their
environment.
•Self-Transcendence is a developmental
imperative.
• Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL
HEALTH NP. https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/
•

8. HUMAN BEING ARE INTEGRAL TO THEIR
ENVIRONMENT
•The theory was
influenced by Martha
Roger’s Science of
Unitary Human Beings,
where it is believed that
humans are one and co-
extensive with the
environment.
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/
MARTHA ROGERS
Science of Unitary Human Beings

9. HUMAN BEING ARE INTEGRAL TO THEIR
ENVIRONMENT
Human being is more than and different than the sum of its
parts and that we have continuous interaction with the
environment, exchanging matter and energy (Rogers, 1980).
Reed believes that as person with these innate characteristics,
we are able to expand our current boundaries to help attain
optimum wellness, healthy state of mind and a good sense of
well-being.
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/

10. HUMAN BEING ARE INTEGRAL
TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT
• It is important to
understand that when we
talk about expanding our
boundaries, the theory
postulates 4 ways of self-
transcendence
(Intrapersonal,
Interpersonal, Temporal
and Transpersonal) in
accomplishing these human
potentials.
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May
19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP. https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-
reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/

11. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE IS A DEVELOPMENTAL
IMPERATIVE
Self-Transcendence theory posits
the role of the person as a human
resource and as an integral
component to well-being, as we
are all capable of development in
which progress can be observed
through outward expression.
It is necessary for a nurse to
recognize this importance to
successfully plan and execute
nursing interventions.
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/

12. REED’S SELF-
TRANSCENDENCE
RELATIONSHIP OF
CONCEPTS
• Reference: Pamela Reed’s
Theory of Self-
Transcendence. (2019,
May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL
HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/
pamela-reeds-theory-of-
self-transcendence/
•

13. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE CONCEPT
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/
Reed (1991) defines self-transcendence as:
“expansion of self-conceptual boundaries multidimensionally:
• inwardly (e.g., through introspective experiences)
• outwardly (e.g., by reaching out to others), and
• temporally (whereby past and future are integrated into the
present).
• transpersonal expansion, in which the individual connects “with
dimensions beyond the typically discernible world”
(Reed, 2003).

14. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE CONCEPT
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/
People can be considered open systems (as opposed to closed systems, which do
not take in new information and are not open to change) whose only obstacle
between themselves and self-transcendence is the boundary they impose upon
themselves.
Humans need some conceptual boundaries, of course, but the expansion of these
boundaries outward to include more of the environment, more human beings,
etc., puts people in a state of greater connectedness with their environment and
encourages a sense of “wholeness” they may not otherwise have (Reed, 1991).

15. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE CONCEPT
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/
This state of expanded consciousness is what Reed calls a
developmental imperative;
like Viktor Frankl and Abraham Maslow, Reed’s theory posits that
self-transcendence is a natural and desired developmental stage,
which people must reach in order to be fulfilled and to have a
sense of purpose (Reed, 2003).

16. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE CONCEPT
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/
Three important concepts
form the core of Reed’s
theory, including self-
transcendence; the other
two concepts are:
Vulnerability: the
awareness of one’s own
mortality that develops
with age, health issues,
and crises.
Well-being: the sense of
being healthy, whole, and
generally fulfilled and
satisfied with one’s state.

17. SELF-
TRANSCENDENCE
THEORY MODEL
• Reference: Pamela Reed’s
Theory of Self-
Transcendence. (2019,
May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL
HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/
pamela-reeds-theory-of-
self-transcendence/
•

18. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE CONCEPT
Reference: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. (2019, May 19). PSYCH-MENTAL HEALTH NP.
https://pmhealthnp.com/pamela-reeds-theory-of-self-transcendence/
These three concepts are vital pieces of the three major
hypotheses of Reed’s theory:
• Older adults (especially those nearing the end of their life) will generally
have higher self-transcendence than younger people (note: this has been
supported by research, e.g., Ellermann & Reed, 2001).
• Conceptual boundaries can fluctuate, and will likely affect well-being when
they do.
• The relationship between vulnerability, self-transcendence, and well-being
is modified and facilitated by a person’s own traits and characteristics and
the environment in which they are situated (Reed, 1991).

19. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE: APPLICATION TO
CLINICAL SETTING
Reference: Abu Khait, A., Sabo, K. and Shellman, J. (2020). Analysis and Evaluation of Reed’s Theory of Self-
Transcendence. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice, [online] 34(2), pp.170–187. doi:10.1891/rtnp-d-19-00015.
Reed's theory provides concepts that relate to nursing interventions, which foster the
patients' ability to experience multi-level self-transcendence and, thus, enhanced well-
being.
Applying Reed's theory in clinical practice underpins professional enrichment and brings
forth holistic care that assists in facilitating well-being.

20. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE: APPLICATION TO
CLINICAL SETTING
Reference: Abu Khait, A., Sabo, K. and Shellman, J. (2020). Analysis and Evaluation of Reed’s Theory of Self-
Transcendence. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice, [online] 34(2), pp.170–187. doi:10.1891/rtnp-d-19-00015.
Reed's theory of self-transcendence propels the individual beyond
constrictive viewpoints of self and the world.
The theory is useful for patients at all life-stages and in many
different contexts.

21. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE: RELEVANCE TO
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Reference: Abu Khait, A., Sabo, K. and Shellman, J. (2020). Analysis and Evaluation of Reed’s Theory of Self-
Transcendence. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice, [online] 34(2), pp.170–187. doi:10.1891/rtnp-d-19-00015.
Nurses can draw on Reed's theory to develop activities
that enhance patients' environment in order to promote
self-transcendence.
These theory-based activities can expand healthy self-
boundaries intrapersonally, interpersonally,
transpersonally, and temporally.

22. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE: APPLICATION
Reference: Self-Transcendence Theory by Pamela G. Reed | Free Essay Example. (n.d.). StudyCorgi.com.
https://studycorgi.com/self-transcendence-theory-by-pamela-g-reed/
Pamela developed this theory with the idea of nursing processes
geared toward achieving human well-being.
As such, the theory of self-transcendence is applied in three distinct
areas – nursing practice, education, and research.

23. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE: IN NURSING PRACTICE
Reference: Self-Transcendence Theory by Pamela G. Reed | Free Essay Example. (n.d.). StudyCorgi.com.
https://studycorgi.com/self-transcendence-theory-by-pamela-g-reed/
Nursing practices or
interventions adopted are
largely based on
constructs of the person
(self-transcendence),
well-being (health), and
vulnerability
(environment).
In this regard, nurses
should apply diverse
nursing activities, such as
meditation, life
assessment, and
spirituality to facilitate the
development of self-
conceptual limits
(Drageset et al., 2017).
Additionally, the theory is
applied in self-reflection,
hope, altruism, and faith,
as well as in other group
psychotherapy and cancer
support groups to allow
patients to assess their
values and share
experiences in life to
determine meaning in
their health conditions
(Milani, Amiri, Vejdani,
Salehiniya, & Malek-khahi,
2017).

24. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE: IN EDUCATION
Reference: Self-Transcendence Theory by Pamela G. Reed | Free Essay Example. (n.d.). StudyCorgi.com.
https://studycorgi.com/self-transcendence-theory-by-pamela-g-reed/
the theory of self-transcendence and its related themes are widely found in many
nursing education works.
Self-transcendence is seen as an example of a suitable philosophical nursing
foundation.
It is linked to development and health in studies.
Nursing is used to facilitate processes of human capacity development. It enhances
well-being, and nurses are trained on the importance of self-transcendence to
understand patients with end-of-life issues.

25. SELF-TRANSCENDENCE: IN RESEARCH
Reference: Self-Transcendence Theory by Pamela G. Reed | Free Essay Example. (n.d.). StudyCorgi.com.
https://studycorgi.com/self-transcendence-theory-by-pamela-g-reed/
many research studies now offer empirical evidence to support the application of self-
transcendence theory to enhance patient health.
Patients with intractable disease, chronic health issues, and end-of-life conditions have
realized improved health outcomes when concepts of this theory were applied (Vitale,
Shaffer, & Acosta-Fenton, 2014).
Overall, the theory of self-transcendence is widely applied in different nursing settings in
which patients’ well-being could be hindered by end-of-life challenges.