<p>Peplau was influenced by the psychoanalytical writings of Maslow and the focus for her theory is the relationship between the individual in need of healthcare and the nurse. Importantly, Peplau’s theory places great emphasis on the influence of the environment on health and illness. Although this view of health is now generally accepted and is a prominent theme in Government policy (Department of Health 1998), we must contrast this with the dominance of physical approaches within nursing and healthcare during the 1950s. As Reed and Johnson (1989) point out, Peplau therefore provided nurses with a radically new perspective and a new theory upon which to develop their practice.</p>