Role of the Spiritual Variable in Nursing Practice
Assignment Brief
Nursing
According to Neuman’s theory, a human being is a total person as a client system and the person is a layered, multidimensional being. Each layer consists of a five-person variable or subsystem:
- physiological
- psychological
- sociocultural
- developmental
- spiritual
Considering the ‘spiritual’ variable:
-
Do you feel this variable exists at all?
-
Does it have as wide-ranging results as Neuman claims?
-
Is it appropriate for an APRN to participate in or work with the patient’s spiritual dimension?
Sample Answer
Neuman’s Systems Model and the Role of the Spiritual Variable in Nursing Practice
Introduction
Betty Neuman’s Systems Model is a widely used nursing theory that views a human being as a total client system, consisting of multiple interacting subsystems or variables. These variables, physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual, combine to create a holistic understanding of the patient as more than just a body with symptoms. Neuman (1989) described this framework as multidimensional, layered, and interdependent, emphasising the importance of addressing all variables to protect and promote patient wellbeing.
Among these, the spiritual variable remains the most contested. It is harder to measure than physical or psychological health, yet it plays a significant role for many patients. The following essay explores three main issues: whether the spiritual dimension truly exists, whether it has as wide-ranging effects as Neuman suggests, and whether it is appropriate for an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) to work with or participate in the patient’s spiritual domain.
The Spiritual Variable: Does it Exist?
To answer this, it is important to first define spirituality. Spirituality is not confined to religion but often overlaps with it. It may include a sense of connection to a higher power, to nature, or simply to values such as compassion, justice, and personal meaning (Puchalski et al., 2014). For many patients, spirituality surfaces during times of illness, suffering, or death, when questions about purpose and meaning become unavoidable.
The existence of spirituality can be seen in practice. Patients may request prayer, seek religious leaders, or simply express concerns about life purpose. Even those who identify as non-religious often acknowledge an inner life tied to values, ethics, or existential beliefs. Neuman’s inclusion of spirituality recognises this reality. It exists not necessarily as a universal truth, but as a lived experience for individuals.
Critics argue that spirituality cannot be considered a “variable” like physiology or psychology because it lacks clear measurement. Yet, healthcare has increasingly accepted subjective measures such as quality of life or pain scales, which are not purely objective but still guide care. Similarly, spirituality exists as a subjective but real component of health.
The Impact of Spirituality
Neuman claimed that spirituality influences the entire client system and can have effects as profound as those of the physiological dimension. The evidence for this claim is mixed but compelling.
Continued...
100% Plagiarism Free & Custom Written,
tailored to your instructions