Interacting Variables
The client system within the Neuman systems model is a
composite of five interactive dimensions, including physiological,
psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and
spiritual variables. The interrelationship among the variables
determines “the amount of resistance [a client system] has to
any environmental stressors” (Neuman, 1995, p. 23). These
interacting variables also have mutually shared properties
with the patterns of resilience that were identified by Polk
(1997), which further strengthens the phenomenon of resiliency
when seen as part of the lines of defense within the
Neuman system model.
In an effort to identify characteristics or themes that distinguish
and define resilience, Polk (1997) examined 26 published
papers among resiliency literature, and identified four
patterns of resilience. The dispositional pattern of resilience
encompasses an individual’s psychosocial attributes, and
corresponds with the sociocultural variables seen within the
Neuman systems model. Polk’s (1997) relational pattern
refers to an individual’s intrinsic and extrinsic roles and relationships
influencing resilience, which aligns with the psychological
variables seen within Neuman’s model. The
situational pattern describes an individual’s ability to assess
and react to stressors or situations of adversity, and parallels
with the developmental variables seen within the model.
Finally, the philosophical pattern, which includes an individual’s
personal beliefs and principles, aligns with Neuman’s
spiritual variables as identified within the model.