According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health means a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely disease-free or fragile. Among the elements that violate well-being status, Desstress is used as a sub-concept of depression and anxiety, which is confined to psychological distress. In nursing, it is mainly used as a negative concept related to stress on cancer patients. Thus, in this study, it was attempted to establish a theoretical basis in nursing practice by clarifying the clear attributes of the concept of detress, which is understood in many senses according to a vague and subjective interpretation. The data were analyzed using Walker and Avant conceptual analysis methods. The results were as follows: 1) unpleasant feelings, 2) Negative consequences of various aspects, 3) Stress recognized by subjective symptoms, 4) Condition that the necessity of treatment is accepted. Distress, as seen by the above attributes, is an unpleasant emotion that results in negative consequences due to perceived stress from various aspects, and can be defined as being medically acceptable. Prerequisites for the stress are physical problems such as fatigue and pain, Emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, loss of self-esteem, spiritual and religious problems, social prejudice, family conflict, etc. were identified as social, family problems and everyday problems. Consequences were poor quality of life, negative disease prognosis, psychiatric problems, and waste of time and money. In conclusion, based on the results of this study, it can be suggested that the concept of distress provides the rationale for nursing practice and provides basic data for the development of scale for distress intervention.