Introduction
Domestic violence is considered to be one of the most urgent issues that need to be solved in modern society. There are a lot of families who suffer domestic violence; however, they cannot find a way out. The model of learning styles described by David Kolb is believed to bring people closer to understanding and analyzing human behavior. Human nature seems to be very controversial and sometimes even difficult to analyze, the Kolb model helps to view human behavior from a new angle, proving that domestic violence can be the consequence of the previous experience.
Kolb Model
The theory described by David Kolb is centered on the four learning preferences that seem to be highly connected with the stages of the educational process (Chapman, 2010, p. 77). Every experience involves reflection, observation, and acting (Buaraphan, 2015, p. 187). According to the model, adult people learn through experience. It should be stated that the last step in the effective learning process is active experimentation that consequently leads to the decision-making process based on the experience and solution of different kinds of problems.
Experimental education views to experience and reflection as an integral part of every learning process. The modern system of medicine views a nurse as a significant member of the medicine development. That is, a nurse should improve the skills of critical thinking and apply them during the working process (Lisko & O’Dell, 2010, p. 107). However, it should be stressed that the improvement of the critical thinking skills among the nurses face a lot of difficulties nowadays, namely the limitation of the clinical competence by the shortage of the nurse institutions (Lisko & O’Dell, 2010, p. 108). One of the possible solutions for the achievement of the higher level of the needed skills and abilities is using the Kolb model while studying the process. The implementation of the model involves the performance of the skills according to the scene to assess the level of critical thinking.
The Role of a Nurse in the Prevention of the Domestic Violence
Working in the sphere of medicine often requires communicating with patients and providing them with the needed first aid. It should be pointed out that nurses usually see their patients suffer from domestic violence. The scenario-based approaches helped to develop critical thinking skills and to find solutions reacting very fast, which is considered to be significant, especially while working as a nurse. Learning through personal experience changed the attitude towards the job as every situation contributes to the improvement of personal skills that are essential for a nurse. Self-criticism, reflection, and critical evaluation are the tools that help to accomplish the major goals.
Nurses typically viewed domestic violence as an issue that belongs to the sphere of psychologists and psychiatrists. However, nurses are believed to be significant in assisting the ones who suffer from abuse. According to recent research, domestic violence affects the overall health of women and children who experience some forms of misconduct (Finley, 2013, p. 195). That is, nurses should try to prevent domestic violence and eliminate negative consequences. To help the patient who suffers from abuse nurses should know the major physical signs and be attentive while communicating. The response may include listening, communication, highlighting the fact that violence is not acceptable proving that no one deserves such an attitude. Nurses should support the ones who experienced domestic violence and provide people with the needed information concerning this issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be pointed out that the implementation of the Kolb theory into the nursing learning process helps to accomplish one of the most significant goals, namely the improvement of critical thinking and analyses. Such skills are considered to be important for nursing work. It should be stressed that learning through experience can be viewed as one of the most effective types of educational approaches that help to solve the issues concerning domestic violence.
References
Buaraphan, K. (2015). Grades 1-12 Thai Students’ Learning Styles according to Kolb’s Model. Asian Social Science ASS, 11(10), 186-201.
Chapman, L. (2010). Integrated experiential coaching becoming an executive coach. London, U. K.: Karnac Books.
Finley, L. (2013). Encyclopedia of domestic violence and abuse. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Lisko, S., & O’Dell, V. (2010). Integration of Theory and Practice: Experiential Learning Theory and Nursing Education. Nursing Education Perspectives, 31(2), 106-108.