Course : M.Sc.

Nursing
Subject Name : Advance Nursing Practice
Unit with Title :VI-Philosophy with Nursing theories

Topic : Nursing theories -part 2

Neuman’s system model
Prepared by : Prof. Mrs. R.Radha
 Learning objectives

Students can able to

Introduction
Define Neuman’s system model
Mention the development of the model
Organize the Major concepts
Describe the basic structure & energy resources
list out Client’s variable
Mention Goals of system theory
Explain the characteristics
 Learning Objectives

 Mention the central core

 List out the Prevention
 Uses of Neuman’s theory
 Explain the Assumptions
 Comparison of Strengths & Weaknesses
 How it is Analysis
 Example
 Summary
 References
 Overview

 Introduction
 Neuman’s system model
 Development of the model
 Major concepts
 Basic structure and energy resources
 Client’s variable
 Goals of system theory
 The characteristics
 Conti…

The central core

Prevention
Uses of Neuman’s theory
 Assumptions
Strengths & Weakness
 Analysis
Summary
 References
Betty Neuman's
 Introduction

• The Neuman’s system model was originally

developed in 1970 at the university of California,
los Angeles.
• The modal was developed by Dr. Neuman’s as a
way to teach an introductory nursing course to
nursing students.
• The goal of the model was to provide a holistic
overview of the physiological, psychological,
socio cultural and development aspects of
human being.
 Conti…

• B.Sc. in nursing in 1957, M.Sc. in mental health

public health consultation, from university of
california, los angeles in 1966, Ph.D. in clinical
psychology.
• Theory was published in- “A model for teaching
total person approach to patient problems” in
nursing research-1972.
 Conti…

• Betty Neuman’s system model provides a

comprehensive flexible holistic and system
based perspective for nursing. Neuman’s model
is just that a model not a full theory. It is a
conceptual framework.
• A visual representation for thinking about
humans and nurses and their interaction. The
model views the person as a layered..
 Definition

• Neuman Systems Model as “a unique, open-

system-based perspective that provides a
unifying focus for approaching a wide range of
concerns. A system acts as a boundary for a
single client, a group, or even a number of
groups; it can also be defined as a social issue.
A client system in interaction with the
environment delineates the domain of nursing
concerns.”
 Development of the Model

• Neuman’s model was influenced by- The

philosophy writers Dechardin and Cornu ( on
wholeness in system).
• Von Bertalanfy and lazlo or general system
theory.
• Selye on stress theory
• Lararus on stress and coping.
 Major concepts

1) Person-
The person is a layered multidimensional being
each layer consists of five person variables or
subsystem-
• Physical/Physiological
• Psychological.
• Socio cultural.
• Development.
• Spiritual.
 Major concepts

• The layers usually represent by concentric

circle. Consists of the central core, lines of
resistance. Lines of normal defense and lines of
flexible defense.
2)Environment-
The environment is seen to be the totality of the
internal and external forces which surround a
person and with which they interact at any given
time.
 Conti…

- There force include the intrapersonal,

interpersonal and extra personal stressors which
can affect the persons normal line of defence
and so can affect the stability of the system.
- The environment may be viewed as all factors
that affect and are affected by the system.
 Conti…

 Internal environment- The internal

environment exists within the client system. All
forces and interaction influences that are solely
within boundaries of the client system make up
this environment

 External environment- The external

environment exists outside the client system
 Conti…

3)Health/wellness- Neuman’s see health as

being equated with wellness. She defines
health/wellness as, the condition in which all
parts and sub parts (variables) are in harmony
with the whole as the client.
As the person is in a content interaction with the
environment , the state of wellness is in dynamic
equilibrium, rather than in any kind of steady
state.
 Conti…

Nursing- Neuman seen nursing as a unique

profession that concerned with all of the
variables which influence the response a person
might have to a stressor.
The person is seen as a whole and it is the task of
nursing to address the whole person.
 Basic structure and energy resources

• The basic structure, or central core is made up

those basic survival factors common to the
species, these factors include the system
variables, genetic features, and strengths and
weakness of the system parts.
 Client’s variable

Physiological variables

Psychological variables

Socio cultural variables

Development variables
 Goals Of System Theory

• To provide a holistic overview of the

physiological, psychological, sociological and
development aspects of human being.
• To teach an introductory nursing course to

nursing students.
. Neuman’s model and characteristics

• Interrelated concept
• Logically consistent.
• Logical sequence.
• Fairly simple and straightforward in approach
• Easily identifiable for nursing education and
practice.
• Applicable in the practice
 The central core

• The central core structure consists of basic

survival factors (normal temp range, genetic
structure, response pattern, organ
strength/wellness, ego structure ).

That are surrounded by-

• Several lines of resistance.
• The normal line of defense.
• The flexible line of defense.
 lines of resistance.

• A protective mechanism that attempts to

stabilize the client system and foster a return to
the usual wellness.
• - Lines of resistance certain know and unknown
internal and external resource factors that
support client’s basic structure.
 The normal line of defense.

• The client/ client system normal or usual

wellness level.
• This line represents what the client has become
evolved over time.
• This normal defense line is the standard against
determining any variance from wellness.
 The flexible line of defense.

• Forms the outer boundary of the defined client

system
• Act as a protective buffer system for the client’s
normal line of defense or wellness state.
• This normal defense line is the standard against
determining any variance from wellness .
 Prevention

Primary

Secondary Tertiary
 Uses of Neuman’s theory

1. Practice- The human systems model is being

used in diverse practice setting.
o Holistic approach in the care of the patients.
o The model can be used to guide practice with
client in critical care, to provide, stable support
group for parents with infants in neonatal
intensive care units and to meet the needs of
home caregiver in case of clients having
cancer, HIV/AIDS.
 Conti..

2. Education-
The Neuman's system model is effective in
conceptual transition among all level of nursing
education.
- It can be a basis for continuing education after
graduation facilitating professional growth.  It
provide a nursing focus as opposed to medical
focus.
- It provide framework to study individual illness
and reaction to stressors.
 Conti…

• This model facilitate culture consideration in the

curriculum related to the population, the school
and graduate. This model is broad enough to
allow educational programs to consider family as
the context within individual live or as unit of
care.
 Assumptions

• Each client system is unique, a composite of

factors and characteristics within a given range
of responses.
• Many known, unknown, and universal stressors
exist. Each differs in its potential for disturbing a
client’s usual stability level or normal line of
defense.
 Strengths

• He major strength of the Neuman Systems Model is

its flexibility for use in all areas of nursing –
administration, education, and practice.
• Neuman has presented a view of the client that is
equally applicable to an individual, a family, a group,
a community, or any other aggregate.
 Conti…

• The Neuman Systems Model, particularly

presented in the model diagram, is logically
consistent.
• The emphasis on primary prevention, including
health promotion, is specific to this model.
• Once understood, the Neuman Systems Model is
relatively simple, and has readily acceptable
definitions of its components.
 Weaknesses

• The major weakness of the model is the need for

further clarification of terms used.
• Interpersonal and extra personal stressors need
to be more clearly differentiated.
 Analysis

• The delineation of Neuman’s three defense lines

were not clearly explained. In reality, the
individual resists stressors with internal and
external reflexes which were made complicated
with the formulation of different levels of
resistance in the open systems model of
Neuman.
 Example

The students to apply the theory ,

- The delineation of Neuman’s three defense lines
were not clearly explained.
- In reality, the individual resists stressors with
internal and external reflexes which were made
complicated with the formulation of different
levels of resistance in the open systems model
of Neuman administration, education, and
practice
 Summary

• Neuman made mention of energy sources in her

model as part of the basic structure. It can be
more of help when Neuman has enumerated all
sources of energy that she is pertaining to. With
such, new nursing interventions as to the
provision of needed energy of the client can be
conceptualized.
 References

• Memmott, Rae Jeanne; Kevin M. Marett; Randy

L. Bott; Lee Duke (Summer 2000).
"Use of the Neuman Systems Model for Interdisc
iplinary Teams"
. Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health
Care. Archived from the original on November
28, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
• Alligood, M. R. (2013). Nursing Theory-E-Book:
Utilization & Application. Elsevier Health
Sciences.
 Conti..

• Neuman, B. (1996). The Neuman systems

model in research and practice. Nursing Science
Quarterly, 9(2), 67-70. [Link]
• Neuman, B. (1995). The Neumann systems
model (3rd ed.). In McEwen, M. and Wills, E.
(Ed.). Theoretical basis for nursing. USA:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.