Operationalizing African Relational Ontology: Concept Derivation for the Theory of Communal–Relational Person-Becoming

AbstractThis article operationalizes the Theory of Communal-Relational Person-Becoming by translating African relational ontology into measurable and clinically applicable concepts. Using a structured concept derivation methodology, abstract philosophical constructs were transformed into practice-ready variables across corporeal-relational, soulular-spiritual, and mental-communal domains. The resulting operational concepts illuminate communal, relational, and spiritual dimensions of personhood often obscured in Western individualistic nursing models. This article advances decolonial nursing scholarship by demonstrating the methodological rigor and theoretical coherence of African relational thought. The operational framework establishes the foundation for middle-range theory development, culturally grounded assessment tools, and future empirical testing.