Design of caring communication media based on nursing theory and interpersonal psychology

A technique for "caring communication" via computers based on nursing theory and interpersonal psychological approaches is introduced. The main gist in this research is a sophisticated organization of various messages on the Internet from various persons on common concerns such as clients and persons who care for them. As the bases of this organization, a famous theory of nursing, the Roy Adaptation model (C. Roy and H.A. Anderson, 1999; H.A. Andrews and C. Roy, 1986)), and also F. Heider's (1958) theory of Perceptual Balance based on his Naive Theory of Psychology are introduced. Heider's theory provides us with a method to analyze the perceptual consistencies ("perceptual balance") among the messages. This analysis is carried out by detecting these inconsistencies among the messages, where the detection can be done automatically. These inconsistencies are then related to various "modes of caring intervention" via the Roy Adaptation model of nursing. Hence, this message board provides us with an effective way for caring communication among the participants to the "message board".