BY:- FIROZ QURESHI

DEPT. PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

 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 wholistic
overview of the physiological,
psychological, sociocultural and
development aspects of human being.
 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.
 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.
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.
 The major four concepts are following-
1). Person-
The person is a layered multidimensional
being each layer consists of five person
variables or subsystem-
 Physical/Physiological.
 Psychological.
 Sociocultural.
 Development.
 Spiritual.
 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.
 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.
 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.
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 (varibles) 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.
 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. Neuman’s defines nursing as an
actions which assists individual, families and
groups to maintain maximum level of wellness,
the primary aim is stability of the patient /client
system, through nursing interventions to reduce
stressors.
 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.
Physiological Psychological Sociocultural
variables variables variables

Development Spiritual
variables variables
 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.
 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 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.
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 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.
 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.
 Primary
prevention

Secondary Tertiary
prevention prevention
1. Practice-
 The humen systems model is being used in
diverse practice setting.
 Holistic approach in the care of the patients.
 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.
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.
 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.