To excel in their practice, social workers needs to understand a ?variety of theoretical frames for differing scenarios they will ?encounter as professionals. So

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Theory Identification and Analysis

Patrice Scope

Capella University

SWK5005

Dominique Spigner

05/14/2022

Theory Identification and Analysis

Abstract

Psychology over the years has arisen a new science to develop practical methodologies for supporting explanatory theories. Human Behaviors are highly influenced by their social environment. Cultural and immigration aspects like multiculturalism, acculturation and assimilation are some of the social environmental biasness. This paper entails organization of a theoretical framework for the chosen case study. The case study includes illustrations of the client, family, and the problems present. This paper will also present the problem impression, societal intersectionality, and the necessary theory to be applied for intervention. Displayed behaviors, and the effective examination of the case demographics will be an important framework component. To evaluate how cultural competence play a role in the selected theory, the related strengths and weaknesses will also be evaluated in this paper.

Client Case Study Review

For this analysis the chosen case study will be Levi’s case. Levi is a 35-year-old man living with HIV positive. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that targets the immune system of the body and can lead to a life-threatening chronic condition if preventive treatments are not taken. Levi has been living with HIV for ten years and under medication which have stopped the progression to AIDS. He is generally healthy and works as an auto mechanic.

Recently, Levi has withdrawn from most social interactions and has not told or involved his family. In addition, he has also fallen from most of his friends. Due to this emotional toll, he has been able to obtain some anti-anxiety medications. The anxiety medications sometimes don’t work and leads to his overdose of the prescribed medication. He has also resulted to cocaine habit that he views as the only area of excitement in life. Levi is not recovering from the anxiety and his life is slowly slipping away.

Present Problem and Impression

Based on the case review, the present problem lies within the progressive anxiety that Levi is suffering from. Levi since being diagnosed with HIV he has not been able to disclose or share the information with anyone including his family. Levi is living in denial, shoch, sadness and even anger. All these kinds of emotions are playing a toll on him which has led to depression and the overdose of the anxiety medication. As a way of hiding his emotional issues he has withdrawn from family and friends. Levi seeks help from a counsellor since he has already resulted to cocaine and yet he cannot find solace.

The impression of the writer is that Levi has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression which are mental health conditions (Alvidrez et al., 2021). Depression is more than just having a bad day and feeling down. Since Levi, being diagnosed with the HIV has had a feeling of anxiousness and not wanting to interact with friends or share with family. He has trouble falling asleep which has resulted him to anxiety medication but its post trauma from the HIV diagnosis. Feeling guilty and worthless as if your life is slipping away is also another symptom of both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression.

Intersectionality

Intersectionality in psychology entails analysis of the complex social inequalities that influences behavior and ethics. Race, nationality, gender identity, social class and religion are some of social issues that are subjected to people and reveals the interlocks and intersects of their behaviors (Little et al., 2019). Prior to the treatment of Levi or coming up with a therapeutic intervention, it is important to understand the social comprehension by analyzing the world around him and the people around him. This is because a behavior is easily shaped by factors in diverse and mutual ways.

Levi identity is not set in at birth and not defined by his sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity. Levi does not find support and does not have a close relation with anyone. Levi’s environment his work life and social life cause his identities to collide. HIV is stigmatized with negative beliefs and attitudes. The HIV virus comes with a prejudice and labelling of an individual as socially unacceptable. The moral judgements may be the root cause of Levi turn off from his close associates. To help Levi structure is necessary and the next step a counselor would take is to choose psychological theory based on Levi’s condition.

Identification and Discussion of Chosen Theory

Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development is the theory that can identify Levi’s case study as it identifies social development and human behavior. The theory focuses on biological and genetic origins of behaviors as the interaction with the environmental forces overtime. The eight stages of development outlined by the theory identifies the emotional, physical, and psychological factors affecting Levi. Erikson's theory was the first and, possibly, most important lifespan development theory. Based on the psychosocial development through birth to death, there are eight stages that are psychological crisis that affect personality and development whether negatively or positively.

The first stage of the psychosocial theory is the trust versus mistrust which can contribute to positive outcomes of hope or negative outcomes of withdrawal. Levi shares a trait of withdrawal from his friends and family which might be fostered by mistrust during his early ages. The second stage is autonomy, shame and doubt which is revealed through the compulsive behaviors revealed by Levi through drug overdose and indulging to cocaine usage. The third stage is initiative and guild, fourth being industry versus inferiority, identity versus role confusion, intimacy versus isolation which encourage exclusivity (Cherry, 2020). The last two include generativity versus stagnation which symbolize giving or rejection and finally integrity versus despair which reveals Levi’s feelings of wasted time, chances and life slipping through his hands.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Theory

Erikson’s psychological development theory provides a broad and integrated framework for social development and gives elaborate understanding of each stage. The theory also showcases the identity crisis individuals pass through during their development and provide the detailed insight on the concept of psychosocial crisis. The theory also asserts the importance of society and culture on one’s development and gives a better understanding of the cognitive human structure.

Some of the weaknesses of the Erikson’s psychological theory of development include the lack of explanation between the transition from one stage to another. This is easily confused, and better elaboration is needed to understand the impact of culture on an individual’s development. Individuality is given too much importance with little elaboration as well and most research argue that the theory is quite Eurocentric. Some research also argue that the theory is a generic plan and focusses on male development, but the theories are yet to be proven otherwise.

Cultural Competence Application to Theory

The phases of this model are culturally important since the Ethical Principle stipulates that counselor should comprehend culture and its role in human psychology and society, acknowledging that all cultures have strengths (NASW, 2018). Diversity in psychotherapy should constantly be maintained, and social workers must be knowledgeable about a variety of groups, contexts, and problems to be nonjudgmental as well as provide respect and understanding.

Implication of the Theory Relating to Human Behavior and Development

Though widely accepted, Erikson's theory has been disputed by many, and it is important to remember that his theory is only one way of understanding psychosocial development. Levi identity is not set in at birth and not defined by his sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity. The HIV virus comes with a prejudice and labelling of an individual as socially unacceptable or moral judgements which are the root cause of Levi’s anxiety and depression states of being lonely.

References

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Bottom of Form

Alvidrez, J., Greenwood, G. L., Johnson, T.L., & Parker, K.L. (2021). Intersectionality in Public Health Research: A View from the National Institutes of Health. American Journal of Public Health, 111 (1), 95-97. http:doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305986

Cherry, K. (2020). Understanding Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development279574

Little, D., Green, D.A., & Felten, P. (2019). Identity, Intersectionality, and Educational Development. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2019 (158), 11-23. http://doi.org/10.1002/tl.20335

National Association of Social Workers., Wehrmann, K. C., & McClain, A. (2018). Social Work

Speaks: National Association of Social Workers policy statements, 2018-2020

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Theory Application

Patrice Scope

SWK/5005

Dominique Spigner

5/29/2022

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

I used Levi's instance for my study. Levi is a 35-year-old HIV-positive male who is single and has no children. He is a mechanic who works on automobiles. He lives in a low-income, poverty-stricken area. Levi caught HIV after receiving a blood transfusion after a vehicle accident in which he lost a lot of blood. He was struck by a drunk driver, leaving him paraplegic for a year, but with intensive rehabilitation, he was able to walk again. Levi has been on meds that have prevented the development of HIV to AIDS since realizing he was HIV positive ten years ago, and he is in good health. The emotional toll, on the other hand, has been far higher.

Levi has shied away from the majority of social contacts. He hasn't informed anybody in his family, and he has lost touch with the majority of his pals. He's afraid to notify anybody since he'll feel ashamed and guilty if he spreads the sickness to everyone he comes into touch with. Levi longs for a family of his own, but he is terrified of being in a relationship with anybody. He is apprehensive about having to inform the individual with whom he has a romantic connection that he is HIV positive. He has been able to purchase a variety of anxiety drugs, and he often exceeds the recommended amount. He also has a cocaine problem, which he considers to be his only source of excitement in life. He tends to use it on weekends or as a pick-me-up on his way to work. In the evenings, he takes anti-anxiety drugs to help him relax and sleep. Levi considers ending it all and taking his own life. He believes he has nothing to live for. He's had enough of being an outcast. In what has become an increasingly hollow existence, he feels his life slipping away. Finally, he contacts a counselor to discuss his issues.

PROBLEMS TO BE PRESENTED

Levi has a number of issues to deal with, the first of which being HIV. After being struck by a drunk motorist, Levi caught HIV via a blood transfusion. His drug addiction is another issue he is dealing with. To help him relax and cope, he takes medicines. Because he has HIV, he has also shut everyone out of his life and is hesitant to form new connections. He's depressed and contemplating suicide (Lundahl & Hull, 2014).

Proposals for Understanding and Acceptance of the Selected Theory

Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory is the one that can identify Levi's case study because it understands human behavior and social development. This makes it a strong candidate for the award. Biological and genetic underpinnings of behavior and the way they interact with external forces over time are at the heart of this theory. The theory emphasizes Levi's emotional, physical, and psychological development through its eight stages of development, which are outlined below. Erikson's idea of lifelong learning was perhaps the first and most influential. From birth to death, a person's psychosocial development is reflected in eight stages, each of which can have a positive or negative impact on a person's personality and development. Positive outcomes such as hope or negative outcomes such as retreat may result from the psychosocial hypothesis's initial stage of trust versus mistrust. Mistrust may have played a role in Levi's early tendency to isolate himself from both friends and family. Levi's compulsive behavior, which included a drug overdose and cocaine use, demonstrates the second stage: a sense of self-awareness, guilt, and confusion. Second-stage addiction is characterized by these behaviors. Stages 3 through 6 all promote exclusivity: Initiative and guild; industry vs. inferiority; identity vs role ambiguity; proximity vs isolation; all of which promote exclusivity. Last but not least, Levi's ideas of wasted time, squandered opportunities and his life passing away are represented by the dichotomy between integrity and hopelessness.

Strengths and weaknesses

According to Erikson's theories of psychological development, social development may be broken down into several stages, each of which is explained in great depth. A full understanding of psychological crisis concepts is provided by the theory, which shows the identity crises that people confront throughout their lives. There is a strong connection between the development of one's cognitive structure and one's social and cultural environment, which is why this notion is so important (Lee & Eunyoung, 2016).

There are several issues with Erikson's theory of development, one of which is that it fails to explain the transitions between stages. Many people have a misunderstanding about how culture affects a person's development, and more information is needed to clear up any misunderstandings. Individuality is overvalued with little explanation, and the vast majority of studies indicate that the notion is too Eurocentric. Evidence suggests that the hypothesis is a general plan that emphasizes male development, but this has yet to be proven.

Cultural Competence: Theory and Practice in Harmony

Because a counselor is expected to understand culture and its role in human psychology and society, the stages of this model are critical from a cultural perspective. Furthermore, this concept acknowledges the existence of positive characteristics in all cultures. In order to be nonjudgmental and show respect and understanding, social workers must be aware of a wide range of groups, settings, and difficulties. One of the most important aspects of psychotherapy is to keep things fresh (Freedman et al, 2014).

The Consequences of Human Development and Behavior Theory

Though widely accepted, Erikson's hypothesis is only one possible way to understand psychosocial development. Despite this, many people disagree with Erikson's hypothesis. Levi's sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity had no bearing on his sense of self before he was born. Due to Levi's HIV infection's stigma of being socially undesirable or making moral judgments about someone, he is plagued by anxiety, sadness, and feelings of isolation because of this. This is primarily responsible for the majority of Levi's symptoms.

References

Freedman, D. A., Pitner, R. O., Powers, M. C., & Anderson, T. P. (2014). Using Photovoice to Develop a Grounded Theory of Socio-Environmental Attributes Influencing the Health of Community Environments. British Journal of Social Work, 44(5), 1301-1321.

Georgetown Health Policy Institute. (2004). CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN HEALTH CARE: IS IT IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS? Issue Brief

Number 5. Retrieved from https://hpi.georgetown.edu/agingsociety/pubhtml/cultural/cultural.html

Lee, Eunyoung. (2016). The Cultural Competency for Working with Asian American Clients Scale: Development and Validation. Vol 28, Issue 4, pp. 463 – 474. First Published June 12, 2016. Retrieved from https://doi-org.library.capella.edu/10.1177/1049731516652730

Lundahl, B. W., Hull, G. H., Jr. (01/2014). Applied Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 1st Edition. [Vitalsource]. Retrieved

from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781323264508/

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