Page 303 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

270 n JoHNSoN’S BEHAvIoRAL SySTEM MoDEL

are procreation and gratification with regard collaboration with multidisciplinary team
to behaviors dependent on the person’s bio- members. The model of the attending nurse
J logic sex and gender role identity, including has spread nationally (Fulton, 2008) and
but not limited to courting and mating. The internationally (Assad & de oliveira viana,
function of the aggressive subsystem is protec- 2005) and has been incorporated into a sep-
tion and preservation of self and society. The arate model of nursing care delivery associ-
function of the achievement subsystem is mas- ated with Watson’s Theory of Human Caring
tery or control of some aspect of self or envi- (Watson & Foster, 2003).
ronment, with regard to intellectual, physical, Research based on the model describes
creative, mechanical, and social skills as well disorders that arise in connection with ill-
as the skills needed to take care of children, ness. The ultimate purpose of behavioral sys-
partner, and home. tem model–based research is to determine
Nurse administrators at the University the effects on behavioral system balance and
of California–Los Angeles Neuropsychiatric stability of nursing actions, including pro-
Institute and Hospital developed and imple- vision of protection, nurturance, and stim-
mented the behavioral system model–guided ulation; temporary imposition of external
role of the “attending nurse” (Dee & Poster, regulatory or control mechanisms; and fos-
1995; Moreau, Poster, & Niemela, 1993; tering changes in the person’s behavioral set,
Niemela, Poster, & Moreau, 1992). The attend- choices, and actions. Those actions are specif-
ing nurse is regarded as a comprehensive ically directed toward “fostering of efficient
clinical case manager, with responsibilities and effective behavioral functioning in the
encompassing direct patient care; delega- patient to prevent illness and during and fol-
tion and monitoring of selected aspects of lowing illness” (Johnson, 1980, p. 207).
nursing care; provision of leadership, con-
sultation, and guidance to nursing staff; and Jacqueline Fawcett