NEUMAN’S THEORY

BY
OLUMIDE STEPHEN OYERINDE,AISHA OYINKANSOLA
ABDULRAHMAN,FARUQ MUTOLIB UMAR,FATIMA ABDULLAHI
SALISU,ABDALLAH BALARABE MALAMI,HAFSAT AMINU
SHAZALI,IBRAHIM IBRAHIM,NASIR IBRAHIM
IBRAHIM,MUHAMMED AMINA ALFA,IBRAHIM ABUBAKAR AND
AHMAD BASHIR BELI
 1.MEANING OF NEUMAN’S NURSING
THEORY
• Betty Neuman’s nursing theory, also known as
the Neuman Systems Model (NSM), is a comprehensive
framework that views patients as complete systems
constantly interacting with internal and external stressors.
This theory helps you identify different stressors that
affect your patients and adjust your strategies to help
them achieve optimal levels of well-being. Due to its
broad scope, it’s categorized as a grand nursing theory.
 2.A BRIEF HISTORY BEHIND THE
THEORY
• Betty Neuman started her career with a Cadet Nurse
Training Program in Akron, Ohio, earning her diploma in
1947. She took a position at Los Angeles General
Hospital as a staff nurse, where she was later promoted
to head nurse. She then continued her education —
a master of science in nursing, majoring in public health
and minoring in psychology — which equipped her to
develop the first community health program for graduate
students and eventually develop the Neuman Systems
Model in 1982.
 CONT’D
• As interest in her theory grew, she became a sought-after
speaker at nursing schools nationwide, built a global
following, and wrote a book. She completed her PhD in
Clinical Psychology in 1985 and is recognized among the
most groundbreaking nursing theorists, earning numerous
honorary degrees along the way.
 3.KEY CONCEPTS AND PROPOSITION
OF THE NEUMAN SYSTEMS MODEL
• A.ENVIRONMENT: The environment is a vital arena that
is germane to the system and its function. The
environment may be viewed as all factors that affect and
are affected by the system. In Neuman Systems Model
identifies three relevant environments: (1) internal, (2)
external, and (3) created.
 CONT’D
• The internal environment exists within the client system.
All forces and interactive influences that are solely within
the client system’s boundaries make up this
environment.The external environment exists outside the
client system.The created environment is unconsciously
developed and is used by the client to support protective
coping.
• B.HEALTH: In Neuman’s nursing theory, Health is defined
as the condition or degree of system stability and is
viewed as a continuum from wellness to illness. When
system needs are met, optimal wellness exists. When
needs are not satisfied, illness exists. When the energy
needed to support life is not available, death occurs.
• C.HUMAN BEING: The human being is an open system
that interacts with internal and external environment
forces or stressors. The human is constantly changing,
moving toward a dynamic state of system stability or
illness of varying degrees.
 D.CLIENT VARIABLES/ OPEN SYSTEM
• Neuman views the individual client holistically and
considers the variables simultaneously and
comprehensively. The theory views each patient as a
complex system that interacts with their environment.
These systems include five components: physiological,
psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual.
The balance of the system is affected by internal and
external stressors.
• 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.
 E.STRESSORS:
• Neuman views stressors as factors that can disrupt the
system’s balance. They can be categorized into three
main types:
• Intrapersonal stressors include internal factors such as
thoughts, emotions, and physiological responses that can
impact a person’s health and stability. For example,
anxiety, pain, or symptoms of a chronic illness fall into this
category.
• Interpersonal stressors come from interactions between
people. These include conflicts, pressure to balance
multiple roles (such as being a parent and having a full-
time job), and social expectations.
• Extra-personal stressors include outside factors that are
beyond one’s control, such as natural disasters, economic
downfalls, or workplace safety issues. Having financial
problems or living in a polluted area are examples of this
category of stressors.
 F. LINES OF DEFENSE:
• BettyNeuman’s nursing theory also introduces
the concept of lines of defense that protect the system
from stressors:
• Normal line of defense: This represents the client’s
usual state of health or what they consider their “stability.”
Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean perfect stress
resilience — what’s normal can vary from person to
person.
• Flexible line of defense: This outer layer adapts to new
stressors and acts as a buffer to protect the normal line of
defense, trying to keep the system balanced.
• Line of resistance: These deeper layers represent the
internal factors that help the patient defend against a
stressor, w]hen the normal line is breached, helping the
client cope with stress and work towards stability.
 G. PREVENTIVE INTERVENTIONS
• Preventive interventions are strategies designed to keep
or bring balance back to a patient’s system, helping to
promote health and prevent illness. Neuman breaks
these strategies into three levels:
• Primary prevention: Taking proactive measures to avoid
stress before it affects the system.
• Secondary prevention: Catching problems early, after
stressors have affected the patient but before serious
health issues develop. It also involves treatment to reduce
the impact of stressors and minimize damage.
• Tertiary prevention: Restoring and stabilizing the
patient’s system after a stress response to prevent
serious complications.
 H.STABILITY
• A state of balance or harmony requiring energy
exchanges as the client adequately copes with stressors
to retain, attain, or maintain an optimal health level, thus
preserving system integrity.
 I.DEGREE OF REACTION
• The amount of system instability resulting from stressor
invasion of the normal line of defense.
 J.ENTROPY
• A process of energy depletion and disorganization moving
the system toward illness or possible death.
 K.NEGENTROPY
• : An energy conservation process that increases
organization and complexity, moving the system toward
stability or a higher degree of wellness.
 L. BASIC STRICTURE AND ENERGY
RESOURCES:
• The basic structure, or central core, comprises those
basic survival factors common to the species. These
factors include the system variables, genetic features,
and strengths and weaknesses of the system parts.
 M.INPUT/OUTPUT:
• The matter, energy, and information exchanged between
the client and environment entering or leaving the system
at any point in time.
 N.RECONSTITUTION
• Following treatment of stressor reaction, the return and
maintenance of system stability may result in a higher or
lower wellness level.
 4.ASSUMPTION
• The following are the assumptions or “accepted truths”
made by Neuman’s Systems Model:
• Each client system is unique, a composite of factors and
characteristics within a given range of responses.
• 1.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. The particular
interrelationships of client variables at any point in time
can affect the degree to which a client is protected by the
flexible line of defense against possible reaction to
• 2.Each client/client system has evolved a normal range of
responses to the environment referred to as a normal line
of defense. The normal line of defense can be used as a
standard from which to measure health deviation.
• 3.When the flexible line of defense is no longer capable of
protecting the client/client system against an
environmental stressor, the stressor breaks through the
normal line of defense.
• 4.Whether in a state of wellness or illness, the client is a
dynamic composite of the variables’ interrelationships.
Wellness is on a continuum of available energy to support
the system in an optimal system stability state.
• 5.Implicit within each client system is internal resistance
factors known as lines of resistance, which function to
stabilize and realign the client to the usual wellness state.
• 6.Primary prevention relates to general knowledge
applied in client assessment and intervention in identifying
and reducing or mitigating possible or actual risk factors
associated with environmental stressors to prevent a
possible reaction.
• 7.Secondary prevention relates to symptomatology
following a reaction to stressors, an appropriate ranking of
intervention priorities, and treatment to reduce their
noxious effects.
8. Tertiary prevention relates to the adjustive processes as
reconstitution begins and maintenance factors move the
client back in a circular manner toward primary prevention.
• The client as a system is in dynamic, constant energy
exchange with the environment.
 5.IMPORTANCE OF THE THEORY
• 1. Holistic Approach:The model considers the client as a
whole, integrating physiological, psychological,
sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual aspects.
• 2. Focus on Stability:Neuman's model emphasizes
maintaining or achieving client system stability through
interventions.
• 3.Prevention-Oriented:
• It prioritizes primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention to
address stressors before, during, and after a reaction,
respectively.
4. Adaptability:The model can be applied across diverse
nursing settings, including administration, education, and
practice.
• 5. Client-Centered:It recognizes the client's perceptions
and encourages collaboration between the client and
caregiver.
• 6. Systemic Perspective:It views the client as a system
interacting with its internal and external environment,
highlighting the interconnectedness of various factors.
• 7. Stress Management:The model provides a framework
for understanding and managing stressors that impact
client systems, helping nurses identify and address
potential challenges.
• 8. Reconstitution Focus:Neuman's model emphasizes the
process of restoring stability and wellness after a stressor
has affected the client system.
• 9. Promoting Wellness:The model's ultimate goal is to
enhance client well-being and promote optimal health
through nursing interventions.
 6.CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF NEUMAN'S
THEORY:
• 1.Understanding Stressors: The model helps identify
stressors that can impact the patient's system, including
intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extra-personal stressors.
• 2.Developing Interventions: Nurses can use the theory to
plan and implement interventions at different levels of
prevention to address specific stressors and maintain
patient stability.
• 3.Improving Patient Satisfaction:By identifying and
addressing stressors, the model can contribute to
increased patient satisfaction and better outcomes.
• 4.Holistic Care: Neuman's model emphasizes a holistic
approach to patient care, considering the patient's
physiological, psychological, sociocultural, spiritual, and
developmental variables.
• 5.Reconstitution: The model aims to help patients return
to a stable state after experiencing stressors, a process
called reconstitution.
• Examples:
• A.In a study of COVID-19 patients, Neuman's model was
used to identify stressors and develop nursing
interventions to improve patient outcomes.
• B.Stroke Patient Care: The model can be used to provide
holistic care to stroke patients, focusing on interventions
to address various stressors and promote recovery.
• C.Cancer Patient Care: Neuman's model has been
applied to improve the well- being of patients with various
cancers, including mammary papilloma and
• D.Other Applications: The model can be adapted to
various patient populations and settings, including chronic
conditions, multiple sclerosis, and perioperative care.
 7. CRITICISM OF NEUMAN'S SYSTEMS
MODEL
• 1.Complexity: The model's comprehensive nature can
make it complex and difficult to apply in practice. It
requires a deep understanding of the various systems
and their interactions.
• 2.Lack of Focus on Individual Traits: While the model
considers the individual as a whole, it does not pay
specific attention to individual personality traits that could
influence health outcomes.
• 3.Limited Guidance for Intervention: Although the model
emphasizes prevention, it provides limited guidance on
how to implement preventive measures.
• 4.Requires Extensive Training: To effectively use the
model, nurses need extensive training to understand and
apply its concepts.
• In conclusion, Neuman's Systems Model offers a
comprehensive and holistic approach to patient care,
focusing on prevention and considering the patient in their
entirety. However, its complexity and the need for
extensive training can be challenging.
• 6. Nursing Theory. (2016). Betty Neuman - Nursing
Theorist.
• 7. Nursing Theory. (2023). Neuman's Systems Model.
• 8. NursingBird. (2024). Neuman's System Model &
Comfort Theory.
 8. REFERENCES
• 1. Nurseslabs. (2019). Nursing Theories & Theorists: The
Definitive Guide for Nurses.
• 2. Current Nursing. (2020). Betty Neuman's System
Model.
• 3. StatPearls. (2025). Nursing Neuman Systems Model.
• 4. Nurseslabs. (2024). Betty Neuman: Neuman Systems
Model.
• 5. Bademli & Duman. (2017). Conceptual Framework for
Nurses Using the Neuman Systems Model.
THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING