An exploration of language: How nurses describe social factors that contribute to health

Abstract

BackgroundOver the last two centuries nurses have been practicing, teaching, and conducting research on social factors that contribute to health and the language has evolved over this time. PurposeTo explore how social factors that contribute to health are described by nurse authors and how that use has changed over time. MethodsA scoping review using the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, Cochrane Handbook, and PRISMA guidelines was completed. FindingsFrom 1967 to 2021, nurses used the term “social factors” most commonly and there was a shift from demographic to social factors. DiscussionAs the language that nurses use has shifted from demographic descriptions to the social factors that may be associated with those descriptions, nurses have an opportunity to promote the use of non-deterministic language for health promotion and research.