Knowledge development: the roy adaptation model and bulimia nervosa.

The utility of nursing theory as a framework to understand, explain, and propose nursing research is essential to knowledge development. The purpose of this column is to provide an examination of the Roy adaptation model as a basis for knowledge development in bulimia nervosa. This chronic and debilitating disorder is complex, poorly understood, and characterized by repeated binge eating and purging episodes. A careful examination of the major concepts and theoretical linkages of the Roy adaptation model in relationship to bulimia nervosa is necessary to determine the value of this framework to generate future knowledge and research for practice.