BETTY NEUMAN

BACKGROUND CREDENTIALS
•  A nursing theory developed by Betty Neuman is
based on the person’s relationship to stress, the
response to it, and reconstitution factors that are
progressive in nature.
• The Neuman Systems Model presents a broad,
holistic and system-based method to nursing that
maintains a factor of flexibility.
• It focuses on the response of the patient system to
actual or potential environmental stressors and the
maintenance of the client system’s stability
through primary, secondary, and tertiary nursing
prevention intervention to reduce stressors.
• Client Variables
• Neuman views the individual client holistically and
considers the variables simultaneously and
comprehensively.
• The physiological variable refers to the structure and
functions of the body.
• The psychological variable refers to mental processes and
relationships.
• The sociocultural variable refers to system functions that
relate to social and cultural expectations and activities.
• The developmental variable refers to those processes
related to development over the lifespan.
• The spiritual variable refers to the influence of spiritual
beliefs.
• A stressor is any phenomenon that might penetrate
both the flexible and normal lines of defense,
resulting in either a positive or negative outcome.
• Intrapersonal stressors are those that occur within
the client system boundary and correlate with the
internal environment.
• Interpersonal stressors occur outside the client
system boundary, are proximal to the system, and
have an impact on the system.
• Extrapersonal stressors also occur outside the client
system boundaries but are at a greater distance from
the system that are interpersonal stressors. An
example is social policy.