Nursing has been through theoretical and methodological paths more sensible to the development of a kind of knowledge that is able to discuss, to analyze and provide a basis to its daily practice. This text aims to discuss the methodological basis and the application of the ego-ecological theory in nursing research. According to this theory it is possible to know the individual's identity, its peculiarities and its reality, by means of his/her self-representations and the representations (s)he has about his/her social groups. The ego-ecologic theory sees identity as a reality construct in which the outer world and the inner world merge in face of the individual history. The ego-ecological analysis allows one to understand the client and his/her complexities and paradoxes and the relations established on family, work, leisure and micro-social and macro-social levels.
Nursing research; Qualitative research; Interpersonal relations; Social identitification
