Dorothy E.

Johnson
Vanderbilt University School of
Nursing Class of 1942

In 1968 Dorothy first proposed her model of
nursing care as fostering of the efficient and
effective behavioral functioning in the patient
to prevent illness
She also stated that nursing was concerned
with man as an integral whole and is the
specific knowledge of order we require
In 1980 Johnson published her
conceptualization Behavioral system model
for nursing
an external regulatory force which acts to
preserve the organization and integration
of the patients behavior at an optimal
level under those conditions in which the
behavior constitutes a threat to physical
or social health, or in which illness is
found
Whose behavior is commensurate with social
demands.
Who is able to modify his behavior in ways
that support biologic imperatives.
Who is able to benefit to the fullest extent
during illness from the physicians knowledge
and skill.
Whose behavior does not give evidence of
unnecessary trauma as a consequence of
illness.

Goal the motivation for behavior
Set the individuals predisposition to act in
certain ways to fulfill the function of the
subsystem.
Choice the individuals total behavioral
repertoire for fulfilling subsystem functions,
which encompasses the scope of action
alternatives from which the person can choose.
Behavior the individuals physical
manifestation

Protected from noxious influences with
which the system cannot cope (Johnson,
1980).
Nurtured through the input of appropriate
supplies from the environment (Johnson,
1980).
Stimulated for use to enhance growth and
prevent stagnation (Johnson, 1980).

Person Environment Health Nursing
A system of independent
parts with patterned,
repetitive, purposeful ways of
behaving. A behavioral
system composed of 7
subsystems.

All forces that
affect the
person and
influence the
behavioral
system

Health is
reflected by
the
organization,
interaction,
interdependen
ce, and
integration of
subsystem of
the behavioral
system

Promotion of behavioral
system balance and
stability; an external
regulatory force that acts
to preserve the
organization and
integration of the client's
behavior at optimal level
under those condition,
which the behavior
constitutes a threat to
physical or social health,
or which illness is found
Johnsons Behavioral System Model is a model
of nursing care that advocates the fostering of
efficient and effective behavioral functioning in
the patient to prevent illness. The patient is
identified as behavioral system composed of
seven behavioral subsystem: affiliative,
dependency, ingestive, eliminative, sexual,
aggressive and achievement.
The three functional requirements for each
subsystem include protection from noxious
influences, provision for nurturing environment,
and stimulation for growth.