DOROTHY JOHNSON

Summary

This presentation focuses on the Behavioral System Model of nursing developed by Dorothy Johnson, highlighting her contributions to nursing theory since 1968. Johnson's model emphasizes the importance of nursing as an independent field distinct from medical care, advocating for a holistic understanding of patients as behavioral systems comprising seven subsystems. These subsystems address various aspects of human behavior, including attachment, dependency, and achievement, while striving for equilibrium. The presentation also explores the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in health, underscoring the nurse's role in promoting balance and stability in patients' lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dorothy Johnson is known for her Behavioral System Model of Nursing, proposed in 1968, emphasizing nursing's unique contribution to healthcare.
• 😀 Johnson's theory identifies patients as behavioral systems with seven interrelated subsystems that help understand and guide nursing practices.
• 😀 The seven subsystems include: attachment-affiliative, dependency, ingestive, eliminative, sexual, achievement, and aggressive-protective.
• 😀 Each subsystem performs specialized tasks essential for the individual's overall functioning and adaptability to the environment.
• 😀 Behavior is shaped by intra-organism structures and processes, responding to sensory stimulation and social interactions.
• 😀 Equilibrium in Johnson's theory refers to a stabilized state where biological and psychological forces are in balance, essential for good health.
• 😀 Stress is defined as the internal or external stimuli that produce tension and can be either positive (eustress) or negative (distress).
• 😀 Johnson differentiates between the roles of medicine and nursing, asserting that nursing focuses on behavioral aspects while medicine addresses biological needs.
• 😀 Health is described as a dynamic state influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, emphasizing the holistic view of individuals.
• 😀 The environment includes all factors external to the individual’s behavioral system, significantly influencing their ability to maintain balance and health.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Dorothy Johnson's behavioral system model of nursing?

Dorothy Johnson's behavioral system model of nursing emphasizes the unique independent contribution of nursing to healthcare, distinct from delegated medical care, focusing on the behavioral patterns of individuals as systems.

What are the major components of Dorothy Johnson's theory?

The major components of Johnson's theory include the concepts of behavior, systems, and subsystems, along with equilibrium, tension, stressors, and the meta-paradigm of nursing.

How many subsystems are identified in Johnson's behavioral system model, and what is their purpose?

Johnson identified seven subsystems in her behavioral system model, each serving specialized tasks that contribute to the overall functioning of the behavioral system.

What are the seven subsystems defined by Dorothy Johnson?

The seven subsystems are: attachment-affiliative subsystem, dependency subsystem, ingestive subsystem, eliminative subsystem, sexual subsystem, achievement subsystem, and aggressive-protective subsystem.

How does Johnson define the concept of equilibrium in her theory?

Equilibrium is defined as a stabilized but transitory resting state where an individual is in harmony with themselves and their environment, indicating a balance between biological and psychological forces.

What role does nursing play according to Dorothy Johnson?

Nursing is perceived as an external force that acts to preserve the organization of a patient's behavior, providing resources and regulatory mechanisms to help maintain balance during stress.

What is the difference between positive and negative stressors in Johnson's model?

Positive stressors, or eustress, are beneficial changes that create excitement, like starting a new job, while negative stressors, or distress, are harmful events that can lead to poor health, such as personal loss or financial problems.

What is the significance of the subsystem related to attachment-affiliative behaviors?

The attachment-affiliative subsystem is crucial as it forms the basis for social organization, providing survival and security, and its failure can lead to significant social consequences.

What does Johnson say about the relationship between health and the behavioral system?

Health is viewed as a dynamic state influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, focusing on the person's behavioral system rather than the illness itself, and aims for balance and stability.

What are some practical applications of Johnson's behavioral system model in nursing practice?

Johnson's model can be applied in nursing practice to assess and support patients' behavioral systems, ensuring that their needs in the subsystems are met for optimal health and functioning.