Developmental Psychology: Case Study Analysis

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Introduction

Developmental psychology is a significant study of human development, including cognitive, physical, perceptual, intellectual, social, emotional growth, and personality. Moreover, psychosocial development is based on a person’s individual needs, followed by social needs. Psychosocial development encompasses all of life, from the moment of birth until death. The theory of psychosocial development was developed by the well-known psychologist Erik Erikson. Furthermore, this essay aims to address the depth and insights of two case studies aligning three psychosocial issues and relevant theories followed by multiple perspectives on it and the linkages (Maree, 2021). Case studies are crucial methodologies in the context of developmental psychology. The interventions will be based on insightful and proposed strategies, contextualized with theories and case studies.

Insight and depth

In the first case study, the depth and insights are based on the life experiences of David. Currently, he is facing three psychosocial issues, namely- substance abuse, anxiety, and depression, as identified clearly from the evidence.

A second Case study is about a 26-year-old lady having violence, anger & depression.

Case study 1 background: David has just completed his graduation and is on the verge of making his prospects. However, due to familial issues and peer pressure, he engaged himself in aspects of substance abuse and depression. David had a troubled childhood due to occasional fights and conflicting issues among his parents that later in his life provoked him to engage in excessive alcohol consumption, drugs, cigarettes, and immoral activities. Obviously, he had been a victim & has witnessed his mother getting victimized by his father’s physical abuse, including kicking, hitting, and locking up in the room. In one instance, his father burnt David’s hand with a hot spoon for touching the TV.

Consequently, childhood trauma reduced academic focus and increased substance abuse, hindering moral development. Conversely, aggression is often interlinked with substance abuse as it is associated with physical abuse and violent behavior. Based on the case study, substance abuse issues also led David to engage in delinquency that is often related to immoral acts (such as suspected to be urinating on other people’s property, gambling, lying, and cheating in exams).

On the other hand, David’s anxiety issues are based on the significant aspects of old trauma, where he was often bullied at school and experienced physical abuse from his father. Internet addiction in the digital era increased his psychosocial challenges, leading to inattention & depression. To the extent that, at times, he could not recollect his name when asked.

Furthermore, depression, which was a consequence of a familial crisis and old trauma, it affected David’s mental health and his graduation life and prospects. In addition, the ability to improvise his futuristic career development seemed futile, and he engrossed himself in pessimism (Kalin, 2020). On the other hand, depression is often interlinked with self-mutilation symptoms, where the patient is often seen to cause self-injury out of despair and anxiety.

Hence, in close alignment with the aspects mentioned above, further interventions and strategies for psychosocial development will bring development in the overall life experiences of David.

Three Theories and concepts on psychological development

David’s situation can be commented on through the theories of psychological development by scholars such as Kohlberg’s Theory of moral development, Baumrind’s Concept of parenting style, and Moffitt’s Theory of adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior. Kohlberg has devoted much of his work to the stages of moral maturation, people and the basic conditions for it. According to Kohlberg, external conditions, including moral teachings, social norms, and education, are not sufficient for a person to reach moral maturity. The latter is finally formed under the influence of underlying attitudes, which are acquired primarily through socialization and communication. The consequences of David’s unfavorable family environment provoked deviations in behavior, including aggression and alienation; these conditions, in turn, impede the construction of healthy communication with other people. Consequently, for these reasons, the adolescent is unable to reach the proper stage of moral development and needs competent therapy.

Moyfitt’s theory suggests what David’s deviant behavior can lead to. Acts of aggression and signs of social maladjustment show that he needs systematic psychological support. If this does not happen, the propensity for criminal behavior may become a permanent part of the young person’s life rather than an episode of adolescence. Baumrind investigated parenting styles and their impact on the formation of a person’s personality. In David’s case, there is an authoritarian type of parenting, which implies a disregard for the child’s psychological needs. The consequences of this parental attitude seem logical and consistent with the researcher’s theory.

Adequacy of proposals and interventions

To deal with David’s psychosocial issues, the proposed strategies for treating anxiety are based on insightful interventions of mindfulness programs, relaxation techniques, and exercise sessions followed by dietary adjustments and cognitive therapy. Additionally, talk therapies, psychotherapy, and medications, followed by behavioral therapy, will help battle depression (Shepardson et al. 2022). Moreover, in this context, effective interventions for substance abuse and the theoretical aspects are also necessary, including rehabilitation programs in clinics, community-based programs, prevention education, and medication (Hogue, Henderson, Becker & Knight, 2018).

Hence, based on the contextualized aspects of developmental psychology, these inventions will prove effective for the case study of David.

Links between the proposed strategies and the theories cited

Diana Baumrind: Concept of parenting style

Baumrind’s concept of parenting style implies that the parental approach impacts child behavior and leads to different influences on their development. In the case of David, the authoritarian parenting style led to self-consciousness and unhappiness, which in turn led to depression. The proposed strategy to deal with depression involves talk therapies, psychotherapy, medications, and behavioral therapy. In this sense, the patient will be able to understand the roots of his mental health issues. Since Baumrind’s concept claims that the root of children’s behavioral issues is the parenting style, David will be able to learn the causes of his low self-esteem and the remedy for it. However, considering that David struggles with not only low self-esteem but also depression, medication will be required.

Kohlberg: Theory of moral development

Kohlberg’s theory indicates the distortion of David in terms of substance abuse. According to the theory, David had to be exposed to the concepts of right and wrong at a young age. However, due to constant physical abuse, the young man has a distorted perception of the harmful effects of addiction and self-destructive behaviors. As a result, the solution to such issues within the framework of Kohlberg is to educate David and draw a distinct line between self-destructive and positive actions during the learning process. Consequently, to reach this objective, rehabilitation programs in clinics, community-based programs, and prevention education must be applied.

Moffit: Adolescence-Limited and Life-Course-Persistent Antisocial Behavior

Finally, the concept of Moffit divides the antisocial behavior of adolescents into a few groups, such as one limited to adolescence period and another with persistent aberrant behavior. In the context of Moffit, David’s antisocial behavior can be categorized as a life-course persistent type due to constant exposure to stress and bullying (De George et al., 2018). Consequently, the issues manifest in the anxiety of the young man. The strategies to deal with anxiety include mindfulness programs, relaxation techniques, and exercise sessions with dietary adjustments and cognitive therapy. Thus, the therapy can show David appropriate coping techniques and guide the process of building social interactions, which was emphasized as essential by Moffit. Otherwise, according to Moffit’s concept, without interventions, the individual will be prone to committing offenses.

Case study 2: Identifying and Describing the Psychosocial Problems/Issues

The next case study will be about 26-year-old lady, Mrs. Shekar, who had difficulties getting into a relationship because of her anger, violence, and lack of concern for others. She dated her boyfriend for about two years before deciding to settle together. A year later, Mrs. Shekar’s spouse (Mr. Shekar) started drinking excessively and came home late. Her husband argued that Mrs. Shekar was not caring and romantic like other ladies he had met. Mr. Shekar further claimed that his wife was only concerned about her work and not the marriage. One night, Mr. Shekar came home drunk and asked her wife to serve him food. Mrs. Shekar stood up, grabbed Mr. Shekar by the neck, threw him on the floor, and went straight to her room. This occurrence severely impacted Mr. Shekar, who decided to pack his belongings and relocate to his mother’s home. Mrs. Shekar became lonely and angry, which developed into depression. These three psychosocial problems interfered with Mrs. Shekar’s ability to perform her roles typically and even led her to quit her job.

Theories and Concepts on Psychosocial Development

Although there are no details about the childhood life of Mrs. Shekar, there is a possibility that her childhood led her to difficulty forming and maintaining her marriage relationship. During Mrs. Shekar’s adolescence, she probably missed learning to socialize with members of the opposite sex or establishing her sexual identity to prepare herself for the next stage in her life. Three theories apply to Mrs. Shekar’s situation: Diana Baumrind’s Parenting Styles Model, Terrie Moffitt’s Theory of Antisocial Behavior, and Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development. According to Baumrind’s Parenting Styles Model, Mrs. Shekar may find it difficult to sustain her marriage relationship because she was raised authoritatively.

Further, authoritarian parents enforce a strict policy of one-way communication via commands and regulations (Zheng et al., 2022). Their methods of discipline are authoritarian, meaning they are based on power and authority rather than on any rationale. Parental authority figures are often cold and uncaring of their children (Masud et al., 2019). They often rationalize their harsh treatment of children as an effort to build character. Mrs. Shekar’s inability to show affection for her husband indicates the difficulties that often arise in children nurtured by parents.

Additionally, Moffitt’s antisocial behavior theory concludes that neurological deficiencies account for anomalous behaviors in chronic lifelong offenders (Carlisi et al., 2020). Those who commit crimes only during their teens are not neurologically impaired; instead, their antisocial behavior results from associating with like-minded peers. Since Mrs. Shekar is an adult and still demonstrates criminal behavior, she may have neurological impairment. This disorder makes her continue engaging in criminal behavior even past adolescence.

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development theory also applies to Mrs. Shekar’s situation. Kohlberg’s (1973) phases of moral growth are the most often referenced, notwithstanding criticism that they may not apply uniformly across cultures and sexes. It divides the phases of moral development into three distinct levels (Mathes, 2021). Supposedly, Mrs. Shekar is an adult and should have attained the postconventional level, where she is supposed to have a different view of drinking and coming home late as she considers these acts immoral. As we mature, we realize that there is no universally agreed-upon standard of right and wrong and that norms and laws may and do change depending on a person’s culture (Baldwin, 2018). To be moral is to respect the standards set by one’s community or culture. At this point, right and wrong depend on the specifics of the situation.

Explicit Links between the Issues, Experiences, and Course Concepts

Mrs. Shekar’s violence, anger, and depression demonstrate that she must have missed some stages of development and may have experienced poor parenting. This lady’s attack on her husband’s drinking and coming home late may be linked to her belief that drinking alcohol and coming home late is immoral. However, these habits are not considered immoral in some cultures. Mrs. Shekar has failed to reach the pre-conventional level of development, which requires that individuals appreciate the cultural practices of others (Ahmeti & Ramadani, 2021). In this case, Mrs. Shekar should have served her husband meals and waited until he was sober to find out why he came home late.

Additionally, Mrs. Shekar’s violent behavior is attributed to a neurological problem. According to Moffitt’s theory, anyone who exhibits antisocial behavior beyond the teenage stage is a lifelong persistent offender. Also, Mrs. Shekar’s parents may have raised her in an authoritarian setting. Children raised by authoritarian parents are likely to become violent, lonely, and depressed later because they were mistreated in their childhood (Hadji Charalambous & Demetriou, 2020). These aspects are seen when Mrs. Shekar attacks her husband.

Applying Concepts Learnt to Propose Interventions

Mrs. Shekar should seek cognitive behavioural therapy. The goal of therapy is to assist the angry individual in identifying the negative, self-defeating beliefs that fuel their outbursts of rage (Toohey, 2021). Mrs. Shekar needs to see a therapist to discover effective coping mechanisms for dealing with her stress. Medication may also help treat Mrs. Shekar’s anger since it is a mental health problem. Although the ultimate objective of treatment plans is to have the patient function independently, some medications may aid in the meantime (Toohey, 2021). Anger problems are a typical indication for antidepressants, including Prozac, Celexa, and Zoloft. Although these medications do not work by directly reducing levels of stress hormones in the brain, they may help people feel more at ease overall. Cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and interpersonal therapy are the most prevalent approaches to treating depression (McAllister-Williams et al., 2020). Mrs. Shekar may benefit from these restorative practices.

Conclusion

To conclude, based on developmental psychology, this essay has implemented the case study of David & Mrs. Shekar with three psychosocial issues. Additionally, the work aligned them with three relevant theories, followed by the relevant interventions based on insightful strategies contextualized with the case study and theories. Nevertheless, psychosocial development is essential for overall psychological and social development. It is essential to note that there are problems in a person’s mental development that need not only treatment but also restoration for normal functioning of the psyche. Thus, it assists the fight against anger and other manifestations of unhealthy behavior.

Reference

De George, L., Cunial, K., Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E. A. (2018). Life span human development. Cengage Learning Australia.

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