The concern for the development of concepts becomes even more important when we report to its use in Nursing theories, in which some concepts are considered central, such as person, environment, health and nursing. This study aims to discuss the historical evolution of the environment concept used in the Roy Adaptation Model. The method of analysis the study was based on is the evolutionary conceptual analysis of the concept Environment of the Roy Adaptation Model. According to the research results, Environment is introduced as the second major concept in the Roy Adaptation Model. In this theorist's interpretation of the environment, we notice her interest in surpassing the mechanistic point of view upon which the first version of the model was based. The approach of the concept of interaction between people and groups seems to represent an improvement, influenced by the current thoughts that are preeminent in nursing.
adaptation; nursing theory; concept formation