ReviewJournal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing2026
Updates of the Status Quo of Situation-Specific Theories (2015-2025).
Review in Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Social Justice Perceptions of Newly Graduated Nurses: A Grounded Theory Study.Global qualitative nursing researchArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionSituation-specific theories (SSTs) have emerged as an important approach for bridging the gap between nursing theory, research, and clinical practice. Unlike grand or middle-range theories, SSTs address specific nursing phenomena within clearly defined populations or contexts. Since their introduction, SSTs have gained prominence as tools for uniting empirical evidence, patient experience, and theoretical guidance. The purpose of this article is to provide an updated synthesis of nursing SSTs published between 2015 and 2025, mapping their purposes, target populations, theorizing methods, and linkages to research and clinical practice.
methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify SSTs published between 2015 and 2025. Five electronic databases were systematically searched using the keywords "situation-specific theory". Only peer-reviewed, English-language primary studies describing the development, testing, or application of SSTs were included. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were reviewed against inclusion criteria, resulting in 23 eligible studies. Data were extracted into a standardized table summarizing study characteristics, purposes, target populations, theorizing methods, and practice or research linkages. Findings were synthesized narratively to identify recurring themes and methodological trends in SST development, providing an integrated overview of the current state and application of SSTs.
resultsFive overarching themes were identified across the 23 studies: (a) Broadened Scope, (b) Purpose-Driven Theorizing, (c) Dynamic Theory Lifecycle, (d) Methodological Maturity, and (e) Integration Across Practice, Education, and Research. Based on these findings, five recommendations are proposed: (a) Creative and Innovative Methods, (b) Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Development, (c) Broad Theoretical Integration, (d) Sustain Multi-Source Synthesis, and (e) Ongoing Theory Testing and Refinement.
conclusionsIn summary, this review demonstrates that SSTs have evolved into dynamic, context-sensitive frameworks that unite theory, research, and practice. Continued innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and empirical refinement will be essential to sustain their relevance and strengthen nursing's theoretical and clinical foundations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Utilizing SSTs in clinical settings may enhance the relevance and effectiveness of care by aligning interventions with the unique needs of particular patient populations or situations.
Indexed as
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.