Abstract
Purpose The aim of this paper is to link complexity theory to the intentional change process by examining the role of emotional attraction. A research study currently underway on intentional change theory ICT in a healthcare context is presented. Designmethodologyapproach This paper uses the concept of attractors from complexity theory to suggest that emotion affects the process of intentional change in different ways dependent upon whether the emotion is positive or negative. Determination of the emotion in this way proposes the existence of either a positive emotional attractor PEA or a negative emotional attractor NEA. The paper discusses positive psychology's perspective on the differential impacts of positive and negative emotion. The paper also outlines an ongoing research project at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center which examines the concept of PEA and its effect on diabetes selfmanagement as well as its consequent role in improved health. Findings A review of the literature and subsequent development of hypotheses and the conceptual model, indicate education for chronically ill adults must be purposeful and directed toward a selfperceived need for personal change include their own disease experience allow them to become active participants in learning and lastly, the learning process should be considerate of individual cognitive ability. Originalityvalue ICT could address the needs of chronically ill patients as its focus is a selfdirected journey to personal change and learning. The potential of ICT is enormous given that diabetes is a national problem that has reached epidemic proportions.