Biography of Betty
Neuman
Early Life
Betty Neuman was born in 1924 near Lowell, Ohio.
She grew up on a farm which later encouraged her
to help people who are in need. Her father was a
farmer who became sick and died at the age of 36.
Her mother was a self-educated midwife, that led
the young Neuman to be always influenced by the
commitment that took her away from home from
time to time. She had one older brother and a brother who was younger which
makes her the middle child among her siblings. Her love for nursing started when
she took the responsibility of taking care of her father which later created her
compassion in her chosen career path.
Education
As a young girl, she attended the same one-room schoolhouse that her parents had
attended and was excited when she went to a high school that had a library. She
was always engaged and fascinated with the study of human behavior. During
World War II, she had her first job as an aircraft instrument technician. In 1947, she
received her RN Diploma from Peoples Hospital School of Nursing, Akron, Ohio.
Nursing Career of Betty Neuman
Betty Neuman
Betty Neuman moved to California and worked in a variety of capacities as a
hospital nurse and head nurse at Los Angeles County General Hospital, school
nurse, industrial nurse, and clinical instructor at the University of Southern
California Medical Center, Los Angeles.
In 1957, she received a baccalaureate degree in public health and psychology with
honors. Amidst her hectic life as a nurse, she also managed to work as a fashion
model and learned to fly a plane. She got married, supported her husband’s
medical practice, and had their daughter in 1959.
She also earned a master’s degree in mental health, public health consultation in
1966 from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After her graduation,
she was hired as a department chair in the UCLA School of Nursing graduate
program. Neuman developed the first community mental health program for
graduate students in the LA area from 1967 to 1973.
In 1985, Betty Neuman concluded a doctoral degree in clinical psychology at Pacific
Western University. She was a pioneer of nursing involvement in mental health. She
and Donna Aquilina were the first two nurses to develop the nurse counselor role
within community crisis centers in Los Angeles.
Neuman persisted to start a private practice as a marriage and family therapist,
specializing in Christian counseling. She is a Fellow of the American Association of
Marriage and Family Therapy and of the American Academy of Nursing. Until 2009,
she was the director of the Neuman Systems Model Trustees Group, Inc. that she
established in 1988, and still attends as a consultant. The Trustees Group was
created to preserve and maintain the message of
her nursing theory for the health care community.
Awards and Honors of
Betty Neuman
Neuman honored by Walsh University’s Byers School of Nursing | www.walsh.edu
Betty Neuman has done many things including a nurse, educator, health counselor,
therapist, author, speaker, and researcher. Throughout the years, she earned many
awards and honors including several honorary doctorates and was an honorary
member of the American Academy of Nursing. The profound effect of her work on
the nursing profession is well known throughout the world.
Honorary Doctorate of Letters, Neumann College, Aston, PA (1992)
Honorary Member of the Fellowship of the American Academy of Nursing
(1993)
Honorary Doctorate of Science, Grand Valley State University, Michigan
(1998)
She was honored by President Richard Jusseaume and Provost Dr. Laurence Bove
with the Walsh University Distinguished Service Medal, which is awarded to those
who have contributed outstanding professional or voluntary service to others
within the national, regional or local community.
REFERENCE : Betty Neuman: Neuman Systems Model (Nursing Theory Guide). (2019, August
20). Nurseslabs. https://nurseslabs.com/betty-neuman-systems-model-nursing-theory/
Betty Neuman
- is known theorist who developed a system model that perceives the individuality of a
patient as a whole. Inspired by theories and philosophical approaches along with her
clinical experience, she created of a whole new system model. And that concept was
recognized around the globe.
Neuman’s Model
The aim is to define the appropriate respond to a stress-related situation, or the possible
reaction of a client to stressors.
Open System
A system in which there is a continuous flow of input and process, output and feedback. It is a
system of organized complexity, where all elements are in interaction.
Client Variables
Physiological Variables Sociocultural Variables
Structure and body functions Social and cultural expectations and
activities
Psychological Variables
Developmental Variables
Mental process and relationships
Development over the lifespan
Spiritual Variable Influence of spiritual beliefs
Lines of Defenses
Flexible Line of Defense Normal Line of Defense
Sub Concepts of Neuman’s System Model
Stressors
A stimuli or phenomenon that would penetrate both FLD and NLD, resulting to an outcome
whether it’s positive or negative.
- Intrapersonal Stressors
- Interpersonal Stressors
- Extra-personal Stressors
Stability
A state of balance where the system is preserving its integrity as well as it requires energy for
exchange so the client can cope with a specific stressor to retain, attain, and maintain the
needed state of health.
Degree of Reaction
The invasion of a stressor within the NLD would result to system’s instability, and this is called
Degree of Reaction.
Health/Wellness/Optimal Client System Stability: health is the best possible wellness at
any given time, unmet needs to reduce client wellness condition
Variances from wellness: the difference between usual wellness and determined by comparing
health to the current state.
Illness: state of insufficient needs met
Reconstitution: successful mobilization of client resources, dynamic (can progress beyond
previous wellness or to a lower level)
Reconstitution
The retaining of system back to its stability. The treatment of stressor’s reaction may lead to a
better or worse level of wellness.
Preventions
Primary Preventions
Occurs before the system reacts to as stressor; promotion of good health and maintenance of
wellness. It also includes the strengthening the flexible lines of defense by preventing stresses
and reducing risk factors. Primary prevention is when the hazard is identified even before the
invasion of the said stressor that may result to system’s reaction.
Examples are Immunization, Exercise, and Healthy lifestyle.
Secondary Preventions
It occurs when the system is currently reacting to a stressor. It focuses on resisting and
strengthening the internal lines of resistance, and thus, protects the structure by treating the
symptoms. The goal is to bring everything back to balance while conserving energy by doing
so. If the secondary couldn’t suffice the defense, and the system fails to establish
reconstitution, then the basic structure will not be able to support the system and death may
take over the place.
Tertiary Preventions
Tertiary prevention occurs when the system is successful on treating the reaction by the action
of second prevention strategies. Its goal is to maintain wellness and protect client’s
reconstitution through supporting existing strengths and preserving energy.
It may begin at some point after retaining the stability of a system, after the continuation of
reestablishing the harmony, the Tertiary prevention may fall back to primary level of
prevention.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Flexibility for use in all areas of nursing. From administration, education, to applied practice.
It can represent a certain individual, a group of people, or a whole community.
The consistency of model is practically helpful
Sub-concepts such as the prevention levels are specific and on point.
Difficulty on understanding the terms used
Interpersonal stressors and extra-personal stressors have similarities, and thus, leads to minor
confusions.
Neuman’s System Model
Theoretical Framework
