A nursing theory that will be used in this assignment is Lewin’s three-step model of change. According to Lewin (1947, p. 35), “a successful change includes three aspects: unfreezing the present level, moving to the new level, and freezing on the new level.” This theory is applicable to individuals, groups, and organizations (Wojciechowski et al., 2016). In more detail, the first part mostly revolves around problem awareness; if people are made aware of the problem through education, demonstration, or other status-quo challenges, this may push them to unfreeze the status quo. The subsequent stage involves the search for alternatives and the demonstration of their benefits to push people toward them. Finally, in the third stage, the new equilibrium is to be stabilized through re-training, the creation of habits, etc.
My study focuses on childhood obesity; the prevalence of this complex disease has increased significantly in recent decades. The risk of developing obesity is associated with genetics and with lifestyle choices; therefore, my study focuses on the assessment of parent education as a tool for the prevention of childhood obesity. In that framework, Lewin’s three-step model of change can be particularly useful. Parents’ education can be examined, designed, and executed through the lens of the three-step model. This will imply unfreezing their current beliefs about what a healthy lifestyle is, how obesity affects their child’s health, and what can be done in order to improve the situation. The main part of the parents’ education will occur in the second stage of the model, where the new status quo regarding their child’s health will be implemented. Finally, the refreezing stage will introduce the technics to consolidate the new status quo through habit formation.
References
Lewin, K. (1947). Frontiers in Group Dynamics: Concept, Method and Reality in Social Science; Social Equilibria and Social Change. Human Relations, 1(1), 5–41. Web.
Wojciechowski, E., Pearsall, T., Murphy, P., & French, E. (2016). A case review: Integrating Lewin’s theory with Lean’s system approach for change. Online journal of issues in nursing, 21(2), 4. Web.