Characteristics and 10 key components of interpersonal caring: a narrative review

Abstract

This paper aims to help people understand better the lives of people who are mentally ill by describing the general concept of the Interpersonal Caring Theory (ICT) and deducing 10 key components of interpersonal caring. The literature review described the definition of interpersonal caring, and its assumptions and characteristics. Furthermore, the authors’ experience with patient care suggested the critical components of interpersonal caring, which is the compassion-based therapeutic actions/behaviors through the collaborative partnership developed between nurse and client. Essential characteristics of interpersonal caring include the following: person-to-person interaction between nurse and patient, genuine love and concern toward the person, conveying trust and hope, transcending space, time, and culture, holistic approach expressed through a comprehensive and dynamic mode of communication, helping the patient focus on their self-worth, and providing culturally relevant and sensitive nursing. Ten key components of interpersonal caring in ICT include noticing, participating, sharing, active listening, companioning, complimenting, comforting, hoping, forgiving, and accepting. Interpersonal caring results from the blended understanding of the empirical, aesthetic, ethical, and intuitive aspects of a given clinical situation, and a nexus of pre-conditions, content, feelings, and sense of self-worth/self-esteem.