Betty Neuman's Theory

The Neuman’s system model

It has two major components i.e. stress and reaction to stress.

The client in the Neuman’s system model is viewed as an open system in which repeated cycles of input, process, out put and feed back constitute a dynamic organizational pattern.

Each layer, or concentric circle, of the Neuman model is made up of the five person variables.
1.  Physiological - refers of the physicochemical structure and function of the body.
2.  Psychological - refers to mental processes and emotions.
3.  Sociocultural - refers to relationships; and social/cultural expectations and activities.
4.  Spiritual - refers to the influence of spiritual beliefs.
5.  Developmental - refers to those processes related to development over the lifespan.

The Central Core

• The central core, is made up of the basic survival factors that include: system variables, genetic features, and the strengths and weaknesses of the system parts. Examples of these may include: body temperature regulation ability, functioning of body systems homeostatically, cognitive ability, physical strength
• The person's system is an open system and therefore is dynamic and constantly changing and evolving.

Flexible Lines of Defence

• It is the outer barrier to the normal line of defense, the line of resistance, and the core structure.
• If the flexible line of defense fails to provide adequate protection to the normal line of defense, the lines of resistance become activated. The flexible line of defense acts as a cushion.

Normal Line of Defence 

• It is considered to be the usual level of stability in the system.
• The normal line of defense can change over time in response to coping or responding to the environment.

Line of Resistance

• It protects the basic structure and become activated when environmental stressors invade the normal line of defense. Eg:: activation of the immune response after invasion of microorganisms. If the lines of resistance are effective, the system can reconstitute and if the lines of resistance are not effective, the resulting energy loss can result in death.

Reconstitution

•  It is the increase in energy that occurs in relation to the degree of reaction to the stressor.
• Reconstitution begins at any point following initiation of treatment for invasion of stressors.
• Reconstitution may expand the normal line of defense beyond its previous level, stabilize the system at a lower level, or return it to the level that existed before the illness.

Stressor

• The Neuman Systems Model looks at the impact of stressors on health and the reduction of stress.
• Stressors are capable of having either a positive or negative effect on the client system.
• A stressor is any environmental force which can potentially affect the stability of the system:
  The person has a certain degree of reaction to any given stressor at any given time. The nature of the reaction depends in part on the strength of the lines of resistance and defense. By means of primary, secondary and tertiary interventions, the person (or the nurse) attempts to restore or maintain the stability of the system

Types of Stressors

• Intrapersonal - occur within person, e.g. emotions and feelings
• Interpersonal - occur between individuals, e.g. role expectations
• Extra personal - occur outside the individual, e.g. job or finance pressures

Prevention

It focuses on keeping stressors and the stress response from having a detrimental effect on the body.

• Primary prevention

o   occurs before the system reacts to a stressor.

o   On the one hand, it strengthens the person (primarily the flexible line of defense) to enable him to better deal with stressors, and on the other hand manipulates the environment to reduce or weaken stressors.

o   Primary prevention includes health promotion and maintenance of wellness.

• Secondary prevention

o   occurs after the system reacts to a stressor and is provided in terms of existing systems.

o   It focuses on preventing damage to the central core by strengthening the internal lines of resistance and/or removing the stressor.

§  Tertiary prevention

o   occurs after the system has been treated through secondary prevention strategies.

o   offers support to the client and attempts to add energy to the system or reduce energy needed in order to facilitate reconstitution.