Self-Neglect: A Proposed New NANDA Diagnosis

PURPOSE.  To propose a new NANDA diagnosis, self-neglect.

DATA SOURCES.  Research studies and literature published from a variety of disciplines including nursing as well as primary research.

DATA SYNTHESES.  This diagnosis can be used to describe a constellation of self-care problems of varying severity and impact on the health and well-being of people who self-neglect. Included are two subtypes of self-neglect based on the degree of intentionality. Clarification of self-neglect is long overdue because self-neglect presents conceptual, identification, and intervention problems for nurses, healthcare workers, and for medicolegal systems across settings and in many countries.

CONCLUSION.  The proposed diagnosis, self-neglect, fills a gap in current standardized terminology. This diagnosis will contribute significantly to nurses leading the way in the explication of an interdisciplinary and international health concern.

PRACTICE AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS.  Developing self-neglect as a recognized nursing label is vital to clinicians and policy makers within and across countries. Appreciating less serious/non-life-threatening presentations will give nurses a care perspective to improve the health and well-being of those in earlier stages of self-neglect. Definitions for this phenomenon will contribute to care planning and interventions, leading to consistency in practice and research.