Mark Faulkner considers the effects on patients’ independence of nursing care that empowers, and the consequences of disempowering care, with reference to two key psychological theories: learned mastery and learned helplessness

This article will explore the impact of empowering and disempowering care on older people. In particular, it will consider the relational links between empowering care and patient independence, and disempowering care and patient dependence. To unravel these links, reference will be made to the psychological theories of learned mastery (Peterson, Maier and Seligman 1993) and learned helplessness (Seligman 1975). These theories are crucial to our understanding of the therapeutic and non-therapeutic dynamics of interpersonal care. I will conclude by evaluating whether empowering strategies of care are suitable for all older patients.