Nancy Schlossberg’s Transition Theory

Schlossberg’s theory focuses on the impact of transitions in individuals’ lives. Her theory focuses on the transition, the individual, and the environment and how the interaction of the three will determine the degree of impact of the transition (Evans et al., 1998). Schlossberg also focuses on coping mechanisms and stratigies to apply to help with the change (Evans et al., 1998). Schlossberg (as cited by Evans, Forney, & Guido-Dibrito, 1998) defines a transition as, “any event, or non-event, that results in changed relationships, routines, assumptions and roles” (p. 111). Similarly, transitions can only exist if the individual experiencing it deems it a transition.

Schlossberg, Waters & Goodman (1995) created a transition model to better define the theory of transition. Schlossberg’s et al., model focuses on three main areas: transitions, the transition process, and coping with transitions.