Author: Pamela G. Reed, BSN, MSN, MA, PhD; FAAN
Year First Published – 1991
Self-Transcendence Theory © PGReed, 2012
This figure has been published in several chapters of self-transcendence theory. I own the copyright to the Figure. The most recent chapter publication is:
Reed, P.G. (2018). Theory of self-transcendence. In M.J.Smith & P.R. Liehr (Eds.), Middle range theory for nursing (4th ed.) (pp. 119-146). New York: Springer Pub. The figure is on page 124.
Major Concepts
Vulnerability
Self-Transcendence
Well-Being
Personal and Contextual Factors
Typology
Middle range theory but may also serve more broadly as a theoretical framework for applications to particular situations and populations of interest in an individual’s research or practice.
Brief Description
Self-transcendence is a human capacity to expand personal boundaries in many ways, for example, intrapersonally, interpersonally, and transpersonally to connect within self, with others and nature, and with purposes or dimensions regarded as larger than or beyond the self. Self-transcendence facilitates well-being, and also mediates the relationship between experiences of increased vulnerability and well-being outcomes. Various personal and contextual factors, including nursing interventions, influence self-transcendence as related to well-being. The theory was created from a lifespan developmental perspective of human-environment processes of health and well-being.
Primary Sources
Reed, P.G. (1991). Toward a theory of self-transcendence: Deductive reformulation using developmental theories. Advances in Nursing Science, 13(4), 64-77.)
Reed, P.G. (2015). Pamela Reed’s theory of self-transcendence. In M. Smith & M. Parker (Eds.). Nursing theories and nursing practice (4th ed)..(pp.411-420). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
Reed, P.G. (2018). Theory of self-transcendence. In M.J.Smith & P.R. Liehr (Eds.), Middle range theory for nursing (4th ed.) (pp. 119-146). New York: Springer Pub.
Reed, P.G. (2018). Pamela G. Reed: Self-transcendence theory. In M.R. Alligood (Eds.). Nursing theorists and their work (9th ed.) (pp. 463-476). St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
Additional Sources
Reed, P.G. (1991). Self-transcendence and mental health in oldest-old adults. Nurs Res, 40, 7-11.
Coward, D., & Reed, P.G. (1996). Self-transcendence: A resource for healing at the end of life. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 17, 275-288.
Reed, P.G. (2009). Demystifying self-transcendence for mental health nursing practice and research. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 23 (5), 397-400.
Kim, S., Hayward, D., & Reed, P.G. (2014). Self-transcendence, spiritual perspective, and sense of purpose in family caregiving relationships: A mediated model of depression symptoms in Korean older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 18 (7), 905-913.
Reed, P.G. (2015). Pamela Reed’s theory of self-transcendence. In M. Smith & M. Parker (Eds.). Nursing theories and nursing practice (4th ed)..(pp.411-420). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
Reed, P.G. (2018). Pamela G. Reed: Self-transcendence theory. In M.R. Alligood (Eds.). Nursing theorists and their work (9th ed.) (pp. 463-476). St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
Reed, P.G. (2018). Theory of self-transcendence. In M.J.Smith & P.R. Liehr (Eds.), Middle range theory for nursing (4th ed.) (pp. 119-146). New York: Springer Pub.
Self-Transcendence Scale Packet
The Self-Transcendence Scale (STS) packet contains the STS instrument and background information. The STS may be used by researchers to measure self-transcendence. I own the copyright to the STS and researchers are welcome to use it. You may contact me for any questions about the instrument or theory.
Download the Self-Transcendence Scale packet here
Pamela G. Reed 
Pamela G Reed, MSN, MA, PhD, FAAN is Professor at The University of Arizona College of Nursing in Tucson, Arizona. She was educated at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Reed considers herself a metatheoretician in nursing, and has also conducted research into spirituality, self-transcendence, mental health, and end-of-life caregiving. Her Self-Transcendence Scale and Spiritual Perspective Scale have been widely used by researchers. Dr. Reed enjoys working with doctoral students (PhD and DNP) and teaching philosophy of nursing science, metatheory, and theory development. She has published several books and papers on these and other subjects. Dr. Reed is married with two grown daughters.