Abstract
D.Cur.
The multi-cultural context in which health education is given, offers a challenge to nurses and
health personnel. The nurse attempts to promote health through health education. By
addressing the health behaviour of the individual, the nurse encourages him to take coresponsibility
for his health by making informed decisions regarding his own health.
Various factors in the internal and external environment influence the health behaviour of the
individual. The professional nurse has a responsibility to provide effective health education.
To succeed in this the root (radi) of health behaviour has to be addressed. Health behaviour
is rooted in the motivation to address behaviour. The Values Theory of Hermans explains
motivation of behaviour through two primary values, namely the S-motive (quest for selfaffirmation)
and the A-motive (quest for bonding with others).
This theory can contribute to health education by enabling the individual to (i) become aware
of his own health values and (ii) to make decisions about the interpretation of a specific value
at a certain point in time. The value-orientation of a certain moment is therefore more
important than the value itself. The "self-confrontation-method" can be used in order to
explore one's own value-orientation.
A radical strategy for health education based on the Values Theory of Hermans could enable
the professional nurse to promote health through effective health education. Such a strategy
has not yet been developed for health education.
The aim of this study was to develop a radical strategy for health education. In order to
attain this, a fundamental contextual study was undertaken to explore and describe the
phenomena discussed. The research process followed through three consecutive phases. The
method of theory-derivation by Walker and Avant was adapted and used in Phase 1 to derive
a radical strategy for health education from Hermans's Values Theory. Health, health
behaviour and values were studied in depth in the literature.