Applied Sociology for Nurses provides a clear and practical introduction to sociology for first-year B.Sc. Nursing students. Based on the revised INC (Indian Nursing Council) syllabus, this book highlights how social factors, such as family, culture, community, social stratification, and institutions, influence health, illness, and healthcare practices. By linking sociological concepts directly to nursing contexts, it equips nurses to deliver holistic, empathetic, and culturally sensitive care.
The book is organized into seven units covering the basics of sociology, social structure, culture, family and marriage, social stratification, social organization and disorganization, and clinical sociology.

Special features

• Structured according to the revised INC syllabus for B.Sc. Nursing students.
• Written in clear and simple language for easy comprehension.
• Content organised to aid quick recall and exam preparation.
• Real-life examples drawn from nursing practice in hospitals, communities, and public health settings.
• Clear explanations supported with diagrams and illustrated pictures.
• Includes case studies that demonstrate the application of sociology to everyday nursing challenges.

Dr Krishna Vaishnavi
PhD (Nursing), MSc (Nursing), MBA, MA (Psychology), MA (Sociology), PGDES, Principal, Professor and HOD, Community Health Nursing, Mamata College of Nursing, Khammam, Former Vice-Principal, Professor and HOD, Community Health Nursing, GITAM Institute of Nursing, Visakhapatnam

Chapter 1 Introduction

• Definition, nature and scope of sociology
• Significance of sociology in nursing

Chapter 2 Social Structure

• Basic concepts of society, community, association, and institutions
• Individual and society
• Personal disorganization
• Social group – meaning, characteristics, and classification
• Social processes – definition and forms, cooperation, competition, conflict, accommodation, assimilation, isolation
• Socialization – characteristics, process, agencies of socialization
• Social change – nature, process, and role of a nurse
• Structure and characteristics of urban, rural, and tribal communities
• Major health problems in urban, rural, and tribal communities
• Importance of social structure in the nursing profession

Chapter 3 Culture

• Nature, characteristics, and evolution of culture
• Diversity and uniformity of culture
• Difference between culture and civilization
• Culture and socialization
• Transcultural society
• Culture, modernization, and its impact on health and disease

Chapter 4 Family and Marriage

• Family – characteristics, basic need, types and functions
• Marriage – forms of marriage, social customs relating to marriage, and importance of marriage
• Legislation on Indian marriage and family
• Influence of marriage and family on health and health practices

Chapter 5 Social Stratification

• Introduction – characteristics and forms of stratification
• Function of stratification
• Indian caste system – origin and characteristics
• Positive and negative impact of caste on society
• Class system and status
• Social mobility – meaning and types
• Race – concept and criteria of racial classification
• Influence of class, caste, and race systems on health

Chapter 6 Social Organization and Disorganization

• Social organization – meaning, elements, and types
• Voluntary associations
• Social system – definition, types, role, and status as structural elements of social systems
• Interrelationship of institutions
• Social control – meaning, aims, and process of social control
• Social norms, morals, and values
• Social disorganization – definition, causes
• Control and planning
• Major social problems – poverty, housing, food supplies, illiteracy, prostitution, dowry, child labour, child abuse, delinquency, crime, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19
• Vulnerable groups – elderly, handicapped, minority and other marginal groups
• Fundamental rights of individuals, women, and children
• Role of nurses in reducing social problems and enhancing coping
• Social welfare programmes in India

Chapter 7 Clinical Sociology

• Introduction to clinical sociology
• Sociological strategies for developing services for the abused
• Use of clinical sociology in crisis intervention

Question Bank
Index