Middle Range Theory of Attentively Embracing Story

Running Head: Middle Range Theory

Middle Range Theory of Attentively Embracing Story
Carol Jones and Sherry Lookofsky
York College of Pennsylvania

Middle Range Theory of Attentively Embracing Story
Then when the others had gone, each man about his business,
Robin turned to the youth. “Now, lad,” said he,
“tell us thy troubles, and speak freely.
A flow of words doth ever ease the heart of sorrows; it is like opening the waste weir when the mill dam is overfull. Come, sit thou here beside me and speak at thine ease.”
-Howard Pyle, “The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood” (1911) (Pennebaker, 1990, p. vii)
Meaning
The above poem reflects an offer for an intentional dialogue by Robin Hood to a troubled youth. The offer takes place after others have gone away, and the two are alone. Robin is the encouraging nurse, setting the stage for a dyadic conversation. He is offering to be an attentive listener to the youth’s embracing story. Robin warmly supports the youth towards creative ease by encouraging the youth to speak freely. Speaking freely is like opening the flood gates of a dam and allowing the waters of sorrow to pour out until the water calms. The purpose or meaning of the intentional dialogue is to ease the youth’s sorrowful heart and to promote health and human development. Robin again encourages the youth by offering a seat beside him. He is offering his presence and is willing to wait for the youth to start telling his story. Putting emotionally upsetting experiences into words can affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, and physical health. Mary Jane Smith and Patricia Liehr are theorists who believe in the healing power of story-sharing. The importance of story for promoting health and human development created the core and the fundamental concept of the theory of attentively embracing story. The main ideas of the theory are nurse, client (storyteller), health challenge, and story. Attentively embracing

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