Case Study Analysis; Anna

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Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development have eight stages. "According to the theory, successful completion of each stage results in a healthy personality and the acquisition of fundamental virtues. Primary virtues are characteristic strengths which the ego can use to resolve subsequent crises. Failure to successfully complete a stage can result in a reduced ability to complete further stages and, therefore, a more unhealthy personality and sense of self-time" (McLeod, 2008). The eight stages include trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, ego vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, and integrity vs. despair. The lack of reliable father figure and the lack of consistent care, Anna is prone to the sense of mistrust. Anna may carry this issue to other relationships in her life in the future, and develop a feeling of insecurity and guilt. Lack of encouragement from parents; affect Anna's trust in her own abilities and self-esteem in a negative ways, furthermore affecting her relationships with the peers and adults at school, by expressing extreme shyness or overly affectionate. Currently, Anna does not have any friends at school.

Impact of Individual and Cultural Differences

Anna's biological father is an immigrant from Eastern Europe, however by him not being involved in Anna's life and Anna is not having the knowledge of her Eastern European roots will have no cultural effect on Anna until possibly at a later stage in her life. Anna is a white nine-year-old female that lives in the low-income household. All the factors such as gender, age, social, economic status and shared values have a major effect on one's development and health. At this time, Karen is not in the position to tech Anna appropriate shared values, due to her problems with addiction, failed relationships, lack of education, the current state of health and lack of stability.

Intervention Process

Anna and her family are dealing with many factors that affect each member of the family. The intervention process is necessary to address and solve the issues presented in the case study. It is suggested that Anna, Karen, John, and Walter would all attend family therapy or counseling. At very least Anna and John both should seek a school counselor or therapist for a developmental assessment. "Developmental assessment is a process designed to deepen understanding of a child's competencies and resources, and of the caregiving and learning environments most likely to help a child make the fullest use of his or her developmental potential" (Greenspan & Meisels, 1996, p.11). By taking the assessment will help to determine the effects of all the relevant influences such as the divorce between children’s parents, as well as the effects of nature and nurture. Each family member mentioned in the case study should seek individual counseling as well. “Family therapy is often used in concert with other types of mental health treatment, particularly if one or more family members would benefit from specialized treatment for addictions, eating disorders or other illnesses. Some mental health programs offer a family therapy component while a loved one is in treatment and also encourage each family member to pursue individual therapy". In this case, Anna's mother must deal with the shopping addiction and Anna's stepfather must deal with his alcohol addiction. It is recommended for all three parents, Karen, Frank, and Walter to take parenting classes. "Taking a parenting class may help you understand how to parent best your children after separating from their other parent. Also, mental health professionals can help to point out important issues for the family and help you make the separation as easy on your children as possible" (California Courts, 2016).

Conclusion

According to the case study and assessment, Anna and her family are struggling with many issues and challenges that affect their lives together as a family and individually. Anna is struggling in school academically. Furthermore, Anna lacks the ability to foster friendships or close relationships with her peers at school due to her extreme shyness and overly affectionate behavior. Karen, Karen's father, and Frank, suffer from addiction. After assessing the case, it is clear that Anna's current surroundings, her relationship with her parents, pressures at school all impact Anna's development and current state emotionally and mentally. By applying the three theories, Piaget’s cognitive stages of development, Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development, and Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory to Anna’s current situation, will aid in finding the proper solutions and treatments to aid and prevent any developmental issues such as lack of coping tools, ability to have successful relationships, emotional instability. It is recommended for each family member to seek counseling together as a family and individually, additionally parents should attend parenting classes and get more involved in their children’s academics. By recognizing the current issues and by seeking help the family can be helped together and as individuals to gain necessary tools to achieve a better and happier quality of life and learn to cope with the hard times.

References

Broderick, P. C., & Blewitt, P. (2015). The Life Span: Human Development for Helping

Professionals (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 9780132942881.

California Courts, (2016). Parenting resources. Parenting classes. Retrieved form courts.ca.gov:

http://www.courts.ca.gov/16473.htm

Greenspan & Meisels, (1996), (p.11). Developmental Screening, Assessment, and Evaluation:

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/hs/resources/ECLKC_Bookstore/PDFs/FinalTAP%5B1%5D.pdf

Key Elements for Individualizing Curricula in Early Head Start Programs. Retrieved from eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/hs/resources/ECLKC_Bookstore/PDFs/FinalTAP%5B1%5D.pdf

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,(2008). Genetics of alcohol uses disorder. How do genes influence alcoholism? Retrieved from niaaa.nih.gov:

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders/genetics-alcohol-use-disorders

Oswald,