HRM-5™ (Human Regulation Model, Five Domains) is a structural framework for mapping human regulatory capacity across five hierarchically ordered domains: Biological, Safety, Relational, Identity, and Direction. Created by Denis Seriyan in 2025, it is designed as a pre-intervention structural map for coaches, psychologists, and organisational consultants.

What are the five layers of HRM-5™?

The five layers of HRM-5™ are: (1) Biological — physical regulatory capacity, sleep, and recovery; (2) Safety — nervous system threat detection and felt safety; (3) Relational — social connection and co-regulation; (4) Identity — self-concept coherence and stability; (5) Direction — meaningful purpose and directional orientation. Each layer is grounded in peer-reviewed research and assessed in three states: Settled, Working but Strained, or Not Settling.

Is HRM-5™ based on scientific evidence?

Yes. Each of the five domains is grounded in peer-reviewed research. The Biological layer draws on allostatic load research (McEwen) and sleep deprivation studies (Alhola). Safety draws on Polyvagal Theory (Porges). Relational draws on social isolation and mortality research (Holt-Lunstad). Identity draws on narrative identity research (McAdams). Direction draws on eudaimonic wellbeing research (Ryff, Frankl). Full citations are available at human-regulation.com/evidence.

Who is HRM-5™ designed for?

HRM-5™ is designed for coaches, psychologists, therapists, HR professionals, and organisational consultants who work with human performance, wellbeing, and behavioural change. It is also available as a free self-assessment for individuals at human-regulation.com/assessment.

Is HRM-5™ a clinical tool?

No. HRM-5™ is a structural orientation framework, not a clinical diagnostic instrument. It does not diagnose mental health conditions and does not replace clinical or therapeutic judgement. It maps structural regulatory capacity to inform where intervention should begin.

Understanding Human Regulation & Capacity

A structural explanation of stress signals, fatigue, anxiety, and burnout Your system regulates continuously through activation and recovery. When recovery does