Page 365 - alligood 8th edition_Neat

346 UNIT III Nursing Conceptual Models

Critique interchangeably, the programs of research of Dee,
Deridarian, Holaday, Lovejoy, and Poster operation-
Clarity ally defined terms and were consistent in their use.
Johnson’s theory is comprehensive and broad enough The clarity of these definitions and the clarity of the
to include all areas of nursing practice and provide definitions of the subsystems add to the theory’s em-
guidelines for research and education. The theory is pirical precision (Brown, 2006).
relatively simple in relation to the number of con-
cepts. A person is described as a behavioral system Importance
composed of seven subsystems. Nursing is an external Johnson’s theory guides nursing practice, education,
regulatory force. and research; generates new ideas about nursing; and
differentiates nursing from other health professions.
Simplicity By focusing on behavior rather than biology, the
The theory is potentially complex because there are a theory clearly differentiates nursing from medicine;
number of possible interrelationships among the be- although the concepts overlap with those of the psy-
havioral system, its subsystems, and the environment. chosocial professions.
Potential relationships have been explored, but more Johnson’s Behavioral System Model provides a
empirical work is needed (Brown, 2006). conceptual framework for nursing education, prac-
tice, and research. The theory has directed ques-
Generality tions for nursing research. It has been analyzed and
Johnson’s theory has been used extensively with judged appropriate as a basis for the development of
people who are ill or face the threat of illness. Its use a nursing curriculum. Practitioners and patients
with families, groups, and communities is limited. have judged the resulting nursing actions to be sat-
Johnson perceived a person as a behavioral system isfactory (Johnson, 1980). The theory has potential
composed of seven subsystems, aggregates of interac- for continued utility in nursing to achieve valued
tive behavioral systems. Initially, Johnson did not nursing goals.
clearly address nonillness situations or preventive
nursing (D. Johnson, curriculum vitae, 1984). In later
publications, Johnson (1992) emphasized the role of Summary
nurses in preventive health care of individuals and for Johnson’s Behavioral System Model describes the
society. She stated, “Nursing’s special responsibility person as a behavioral system with seven subsystems:
for health is derived from its unique social mission. the achievement, attachment-affiliative, aggressive-
Nursing needs to concentrate on developing preven- protective, dependency, ingestive, eliminative, and sex-
tive nursing to fulfill its social obligations” (Johnson, ual subsystems. Each subsystem is interrelated with
1992, p. 26). the others and the environment and specific struc-
tural elements and functions that help maintain the
Accessibility integrity of the behavioral system. Other nurse schol-
Accessibility is achieved by identifying empirical ars added the restorative subsystem. The structural
indicators for the abstract concepts of model. Empiri- components of the behavioral system describe how
cal precision improves when the subconcepts and individuals are motivated (drive) to obtain specified
the relationships between and among them become goals using the individual’s predisposition to act in
better defined and empirical indicators are intro- certain ways (set) using available choices to produce
duced to the science. The units and the relationships an action or patterned behavior. The functional
between the units in Johnson’s theory are consistently requirements/sustenal imperatives protect, nurture,
defined. Thus, an adequate degree of empirical precision and stimulate the behavioral system. When the be-
has been demonstrated in research using Johnson’s havioral system has balance and stability, the indi-
theory. Although some of Johnson’s writings used vidual’s behaviors will be purposeful, organized, and
terms such as balance, stability, equilibrium adaptation, predictable. Imbalance and instability in the behav-
disturbances, disequilibrium,and behavior disorders ioral system occur when tension and stressors affect