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Group Project

Lydia: Family systems description, Literature Review

Family Systems Description

Identifying/Demographic Data

The Davis family is a Caucasian family that lives in Terre Haute, Indiana. Their family consists of the father: Mike (36), the daughter: Laura (12), the son: Michael (7), and the youngest daughter: Claire (3). Mike works as a construction supervisor and the family lives in a small subdivision. The children attend middle school and elementary school in Terre Haute, and Claire is in daycare full time. Mike usually works from 6 am to 5 pm and picks up the kids from daycare and their after school programs. Mike identifies as a straight, white male. Laura identifies as a straight, white female. Michael and Claire have not discussed their preferences due to their ages. Mike is a good father and his kids care about him a lot.

Chief Complaint/Presenting Problem

Mike reports that he and the children are going through a traumatic experience due to the loss of his wife and the children’s mother. Greta (34) committed suicide three months earlier by taking a combination of Xanax, Trazadone, and Benadryl leaving her family behind. Michael found his mother and is having behavioral issues in school. Mike is having a hard time balancing his work life, trying to be a single dad, and working through his own grief. Laura has been socially withdrawn from her friends, and Mike has noticed some of the bottles from his liquor cabinet in her room. Claire does not understand the situation but continues to ask where her mommy is and when she is coming back.

History of Present Illness

Mike has gone to his primary care physician for not sleeping. His primary care doctor has referred him to a psychologist for further testing. Mike injured his leg on a job and has a metal plate in his femur. However it does not prohibit him from working therefore he is deemed to be in good health. Laura is diagnosed with sports induced asthma and carries an inhaler. Michael reports no current health concerns. Claire was tested for autism and has a mild learning disability that they are monitoring throughout her growth.

Past Psychiatric History

Mike is currently being tested for potential mental health disorders. He does not have a formal diagnosis. Laura is diagnosed with depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the passing of her mom. Michael also has PTSD and severe anxiety attacks from finding his mother. Claire reports no mental health problems.

Substance Use History

Mike has been clean from meth for 15 years. Mike completed a rehabilitation program in Indianapolis, Indiana that was 18 months long. He does not use any drugs, and drinks a glass of bourbon once a month with his brothers. Mike reports no current issues with his substance use. Laura reports that she has been drinking for the last three months to cope with the death of her mother. She drinks about four drinks a day, but has stopped recently after her dad caught her. Michael and Claire have no past or present substance use.

Family Medical and Psychiatric History

Greta was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. She was seeing a psychiatrist and a social worker but had been off of her medication for about two months due to the pandemic. Greta has a past history of suicide attempts and being hospitalized in the mental health ward for two weeks at a time. Medically Greta was physically healthy, but she was born as a fetal alcohol baby. However, after she turned four years old, she had no health complications.

Current Family Issues and Dynamics

Currently Mike is struggling to be a single parent, organize his wife’s arrangements, parent his children, and discipline them. Mike does not have any familial supports due to his past drug use. He states that his neighbors are very helpful but he feels like he is failing as a parent, and that he failed as a husband since his wife killed herself. He feels guilty about not knowing how to console his children and help make them feel better. Mike is very stressed about Laura’s alcohol use and is afraid he will lose his children due to him not having the parental skills he needs.

Literature Review:

Grief interventions (2)

A Kinetic Sculpture Intervention for Individuals Grieving the Deaths of Family Members

Kinetic sculptures are creative interventions that can assist a person when grieving a loss of a family member (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). When a family member passes away, their death can generate uncertainty for family members (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). This can happen when the family is thrown into chaos because they can no longer function the way they used to (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). The use of kinetic sculptures is derived from Bowen’s conception of family equilibrium (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). Brandon & Goldberg (2017) said that Bowen stated that when all members are living, everyone has an active role. When a family member dies, the equilibrium is disrupted. This leads to increased tension in personal relationships and redistribution of the family roles (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). This therapy is beneficial for the whole family; however, the most competent member attends the family to incite positive change back home (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). Bowen’s conception of family equilibrium comes from a systems perspective due to the client being able to put the constructive and deconstructive aspects of their system and the willingness to change (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017).

Kinetic sculptures are a creative intervention that allows clients to express their grief beyond works (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). Innovative interventions often lead to insights that talk therapy could not allow to happen (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). Kinetic sculptures are essential sculptures that can be changed, meaning that a client can add or take away parts of the sculpture to depict where they are in their life (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). Kären E. Brandon made the first kinetic sculpture of wooden and glass beads and other wood (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). The wooden beads were seen as masculine roles, while the glass beads were feminine (Brandon & Goldberg, 2017). The sculpture can be consistently reconfigured to assist the client over time.

Dealing With the Concepts of "Grief" and "Grieving" in the Classroom: Children's Perceptions, Emotions, and Behavior.

Brandon, K. E., & Goldberg, R. M. (2017). A Kinetic Sculpture Intervention for Individuals Grieving the Deaths of Family Members. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 12(1), 99–114.

Stylianou, P., & Zembylas, M. (2018). Dealing With the Concepts of “Grief” and “Grieving” in the Classroom: Children’s Perceptions, Emotions, and Behavior. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING, 77(3), 240–266. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222815626717

Jacque: Scope of the Issue, Advantages and Disadvantages of Interventions

The Case study of the Davis family describes the balance between work and family based on the impacts of family issues on the general family. The Davis family is suffering from depression and anxiety disorders after the passing of the mother and the wife of the family. Mike, the husband who is a construction supervisor, is undergoing challenges at work after the death of his wife. Additionally, the children are showing behavioral changes at school after the death of their mother. Greta, the mother committed suicide three months earlier after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Laura and Michael have PTSD while Claire reports no medical complications and past histories. Mike on the other hand has no formal diagnosis and is being tested for mental health disorders although he has a past substance use history. In the event of struggling to meet parental duties and balancing work, Mike also lacks financial support due to his drug history.

To carry out public health issues, systematic identification of specific problems such as mental disorders ensures the development of means to ensure the problems are solved. Combining work and family is complicated and surveys are working to give way forward for parents battling with the same. According to research, a survey conducted on working parents in an attempt to balance both work and families proved it affected their careers. A quarter of working parents said that advancement in their job careers was hard due to them balancing their families as well with women being highly affected than male parents. Another research concluded that 38% of the parents reported failure of being a good parent as a result of putting the same effort into work as much as in family (Wayne et al,2020). Striking a balance is harder for both male and female workers, with women still falling in the category more than men.

Additionally, women are found to be more affected by interruptions from family-related issues than men. A population of working mothers with children below 18 years who have ever been working report that half of them have taken some time off from work to focus on their children. Among the affected population, another 51% have reported having reduced their work hours to take care of their children and the entire families which might harm their careers overall (Viera et al,2018). The number compared to that of men is at 16% of them having children below the age of 18 where Mike can be categorized under. Reports conclude that 13% of men with grown children report similarities as such of women with grown children too.

The populations affected in the attempt to meet balance at work and in the family are the parents and children at the same time. Parents, especially single parents like Mike get strained financially with thoughts of how to handle the family. Depression and bipolar disorders are likely to affect families with issues and attempts to reduce the instances. In the case study, both parents and children can suffer from PTSD due to Trauma such as in the case of Mike's family where the children are affected by their mother's death and are even involved in drug abuse. On the other hand, the father is affected mentally through the events happening and his work is also deteriorating. General statistics state that 70 percent of adults must experience traumatic events in their lifetime and are likely to develop PTSD with about 8 million people in a year having one out of 13 people developing PTSD from their surroundings.

References

Vieira, J. M., Matias, M., Lopez, F. G., & Matos, P. M. (2018). Work-family conflict and enrichment: An exploration of dyadic typologies of work-family balance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 109, 152-165.

Wayne, J. H., Matthews, R., Crawford, W., & Casper, W. J. (2020). Predictors and processes of satisfaction with work–family balance: Examining the role of personal, work, and family resources and conflict and enrichment. Human Resource Management, 59(1), 25-42.

Peggy: Engagement and Assessment, Recommendations for Treatment

The Davis family is in crisis due to the sudden unexpected suicide by the matriarch of the family Greta. Greta’s suicide created a ripple effect of mental health, alcohol, and behavioral needs. The crisis consists of the family members’ reaction to the death, how each member is processing the death, change in the family dynamic, and increasing concerns regarding several of the family members. Engaging with the Davis family begins by building rapport and cooperation. Several tools or techniques can be used to engage with the family. A caregiver completed the questionnaire as well as a social worker completed an assessment that documents immediate needs with progressing goals that the family will identify with assistance from the social worker.

The Davis family is a system, and the social worker must identify the family structure and the way it functions. During the initial meeting with the whole family, the social worker needs to ask more in-depth questions regarding each member’s needs, behaviors, and as importantly their strengths as well as future goals. The questions need to be open-ended while assessing if they understand the reality of their circumstances. The social worker must collect information because a vast range of factors influences each member differently. The initial meeting can include all family members which are being affected by the death of Greta while the younger child, Claire, who currently is not showing signs of distress can be assessed later if distress or changes in behaviors are indicated. Claire could benefit from play therapy with a focus on grief and death if the father, Michael is willing to learn techniques to support Claire at home.

Empathy-based relationship from the social worker is vital when dealing with death especially by suicide and the age range of children involved. Questions while showing support and validating their feelings are rapport and trust-building. With children, assisting them to identify the source of the feelings and behaviors while teaching them coping skills. Techniques utilized by the social worker will be depended on the age of the client. Sessions will need to be individualized as well as sessions with the father Michael and each child.

Questions could include: How well are family functioning currently? What are the immediate concerns for each person? What are some family rules? Do the children follow Michael’s rules? How clearly does the family communicate? What is each person’s communication style? Does each family member allow other family members to get close emotionally? How does each family member manage their emotions? How does the family make decisions? What aspects of their daily life do they feel are out of control? What strengths does each member identify? What coping skills does each member have or have tried? What type of family mood is in the household before the sudden death, are they loving, supportive, warm, or are they pessimistic, closed off and controlled?

Treatment recommendations

Play therapy can be beneficial for the children like especially Michael and Claire and for Michael also incorporating trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) aid at addressing post-traumatic stress disorder from finding his mother. Laura would also benefit from TF-CBT while also incorporating education and support for her self-medicating with alcohol. TF-CBT can be carried over to the school environment with the school social worker or school counselor especially since behaviors involve the school environment. According to The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, “Childhood Traumatic Grief is a condition in which children develop significant trauma symptoms related to the death of an attachment figure (e.g., parent or sibling) or another important person (e.g., grandparent, other relatives, friend or peer). These trauma symptoms interfere with the child’s ability to accomplish the tasks of bereavement.”

“Self-efficacy focused, in that TF-CBT is a short-term, strengths-based model designed to have long-term benefits. In the context of TF-CBT, therapists encourage self-efficacy and feelings of mastery by actively collaborating with clients in planning therapy, motivating clients to follow through on assignments between sessions, acknowledging therapy successes, encouraging and recognizing the ongoing use of TF-CBT skills, and enhancing clients’ feelings of preparedness for trauma reminders and other life stressors that they may encounter long after therapy has ended.” (Cohen, 2006.) The father, Michael will need to learn parenting skills because this will positively influence his children’s trauma recovery while also supporting Michael’s own recovery needs.

References

Cohen, JA, Mannarino, AP & Deblinger, E (2006). Treating Trauma and Traumatic Grief in Children and Adolescents. New York: Guilford Press.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, , April 2012

Salinas, C. L. (2021). Playing to heal: The impact of bereavement camp for children with grief. International Journal of Play Therapy, 30(1), 40–49. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000147

Turner, R. (2020). Playing through the unimaginable: Play therap

Group: Evaluations

Group: Evaluations

The social worker can evaluate treatment outcomes for the Davis family to determine the effectiveness of the interventions by utilizing self-responsibly or self-reporting improvements or continued behaviors. Tools for the children can be reward and or consequence charts completed at school and at home. Emotional and or behavioral scales identify hourly or daily emotions or behaviors collected per week or complete the Feelings, Attitudes, and Behavioral Scale after participating over a specific number of sessions. (Beitchman, 2003.) In addition, goal monitoring is weekly or bi-weekly for each family member, and this is goals for each individual as well as family goals. The father, Michael will be self-reporting progression towards parenting goals, emotional and psychological goals, and a decrease in his guilt. Measurements are collected for a baseline at beginning of treatment and then again a month after the first session.

References

Beitchman, J.H. MD., (FAB-C) Feelings, Attitudes, and Behaviors Scale for Children Assesses emotion and behavior in children, , 1996, 2003

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Advantages and disadvantages of the interventions: Critically assess the advantages and disadvantages of each of the interventions your group presented in your literature review. Make sure to take diversity and cultural into consideration.

· Kinetic sculpture

· Grief for kids

· Child substance use

· Parenting skills

· PTSD intervention

· Family cohesion

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SOCW 6121: Advanced Clinical Practice II

© 2018 Laureate Education, Inc. Page 1

Group Wiki Project Guidelines

In SOCW 6121, students are required to participate in a Group Project. The purpose of

this project is for students to experience participating in a group. The task of the group

is two-fold:

1) Develop a Wiki that informs and educates on a family systems issue and

appropriate evidence-based interventions to address the issue.

2) Participate in and evaluate the group process while developing a Wiki.

This project is worth a total 50% of your final grade. The group Wiki is 25% of your

grade and each group member will receive the same grade for the Wiki. Members of the

group must hold each other accountable to create the assignment and to appropriately

and professionally work through any barriers or group challenges. The purpose of this

project is to produce a scholarly product to enhance the knowledge of family

interventions AND to provide an avenue to participate in and process a group

experience. The other 25% of the project grade comes from the Assignments that

assess Group Process, which are submitted and graded individually. These

Assignments provides an opportunity to apply the concepts of group process as you

engage in a task group. The Assignments should demonstrate application of cou

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