Sociological and Psychological Perspectives of Family Problems - Research Paper Example

? Case Study Assessment Analyzing the case study from both sociological and psychological perspectives, Wayne Wallace, the father and is faced with several problems which affects the family and underscore the individual and group dysfunctions evident in the family. Despite the fact that he has been diagnosed positively with syphilis, he keeps refusing to accept the diagnosis and therefore does not seek treatment although it possible that he could be cured. Wallace’s main problem is without doubt psychological, unlike his wife who suffers from and incurable disease. From a psychoanalytic point of view, his denial is likely form avoidance, as it is one of the way through which individuals opts to cope with their problems. Wallace is using the avoidance defense mechanism in which an individual refuses to address their problem and choses to instead explain them away (Whittlesey, 1990), in his case, he is blaming the government for not only his, but his wife’s problems. His outright rejection of empirical evidence that could save his life and the fixation with the Tuskegee scandal was a sign of dementia that could have resulted from the syphilis, induced encephalopathy (Han et al., 2004). There is also a social dimension to his mental problem which can be traced back to his perception of race and as result he feels an irrational apathy and paranoia towards the government. While recognizing that it is likely a sign of his psychological problems, one must acknowledge the fact that his fears albeit misplaced are founded on an event that actually took place in which blacks were treated as lab rats and literally left to die (Reverby, 2002). Living with syphilis without treatment is very dangerous since it becomes more severe with time and can cause severe disability mental and physical as well as sudden death (CDC, 2013). The consequences of not seeking help are evident in the encephalopathy, which makes his situation even more delicate, and his mental instability poses a serious threat to the welfares of his family as well as his own. Since his wife is not always able to look after his daughters, he is left to do it although it has been established in the case study that he is not a competent caregiver. His inability to take care of his children especially takes them to school or hospital considering they are vulnerable to opportunistic infections is a serious threat to their wellbeing. In addition, it is not healthy for children to live with a mentally unbalanced parent when they are either are unaware of they in denial about their condition (Goodyer, 1990). Research shows that children brought up by parents with mental health problems are likely to develop greater levels of emotional, psychological and behavioral problem partly because the environment in which they are brought up in makes them highly susceptible (Marsh, 2011). Therefore, as long as Wallace is living with his children and sometimes acting as their sole caregiver they risk acquiring serious psychological problems that may remain with them through their adolescent even in adulthood as they try coping with the trauma of their childhood (Lee et al., 2007). Additionally, children living with parents who are mentally or physically unwell without the benefit of care are also faced with the problem of becoming the caregivers where they end up taking care of the parents instead of the other way round (Kahn, Brandt & Whitaker, 2004). Consequently, since Wallace is in denial of his mental and physical conditions, at some point, his daughters may be forced to look after him at home this will likely have severe ramifications of their psychological, social as well as educational pursuits (Oskouie, Zeighami & Joolaee, 2011). Their social interactions may also be limited by the fact that in future they will fear to bring their friends home to avoid exposing the dysfunctional reality of their family; consequently, they may severely constrain their ability to socialize and make friends and end up being isolated and alienated. His denial of his syphilis infection is likely to have direct health consequences on his family as well, especially his wife who is HIV positive and is highly susceptible to opportunistic infections; therefore, living with him she runs a risk of worsening her situation (Chesson at al, 2003). Furthermore, syphilis is not transmitted exclusively through sex and contact with sores; thus, when one is aware of their status, they may take precautions but since Wallace does not acknowledge the disease, he could easily transmit it to his children in non-sexual contact. In addition despite his apparent invulnerability to HIV, he could still be infected by his wife and that is especially possible for as long as he does not seek treatment because syphilis infections makes one highly susceptible to HIV (Chesson et al, 2003). Intervention It is possible for the problems identified to be remedied or at least their impacts on the father and the rest of the family mitigated, the following are some possible interventions, which could work together or separately. Wallace’s issues emerges from his persistent denial of his condition, there are various way through which denial can be treated, psychoanalysts therapist view it as an obstacle to progress that needs must be confronted and interpreted before the patient can move on. The humanists on the other hand view it as a framework through which patients attempt to understand their internal and external environment (Manousos & Williams, 1998). Notwithstanding the method used, Wallace would undoubtedly benefit from therapy which would help him accept that he has a problem and it could affect not just him but his family. Psychodynamic therapy for example could be used by a counselor to help him deal with his denial and other maladaptive issues, this therapy is based on the assumption that the solution to problems rest in resolution of inner conflict. Furthermore, it would also help Wallace gain insight into their own character traits and therefore identify the behavior and actions that need transformation. Given that Wallace has a propensity for ignoring his problems and denying their very existence, he will no doubt benefit from this particular model of treatment as it is directed towards helping the patient perceive their problems with objectivity. Empirical studies have shown a distinct co-relation between family relationships and the management of serious illnesses ultimately affecting their response to the disease treatment and the overall outcome. According to a study in which Tonia Onyeka reviews five cases of patients with denial issues, the psychological mechanisms involved in the management of disease are affected by the existence of a secure harmonious family environment (Onyeka, 2010). This is clearly lacking in Wallace’s case and it might explain his reluctance to ask for help since he feels he has no network of support, therefore the situation justifies the need for all inclusive therapy so that Wallace and his wife as well as her mother may form a support network for each other. In case he accepted his problem and stopped blaming the government, he could take control of his life by agreeing to seek medical care; in addition, he could also stop supporting his wife by refusing to compel her to take responsibility for her antisocial behavior and help her deal with her addiction issues. Retrospectively, Wallace had disappeared and he only came back after his wife had been reported to the DCFS, from this it is evident that he loves his children ad he would not wish to have them taken away from him. However noble, such actions often cause parents to deny their health problems since they fear the children may be taken away from them or that they (parents) may be taken ill and have to go away to hospitals or be institutionalized. Wallace is an archetypical case therefore the other intervention that can be carried out is forcing him to undergo a mental health check so that if he is found to be unwell, as it is most likely, he can get the right attention and the children will not risk jeopardizing their education to take care of him. DCFS went after his wife owing to her erratic parenting habits since she would abandon her children for long periods of time when she’s on her “bend”, if Wallace had not come to take responsibility for the children, they would likely have been taken away to foster care. However an examination of the quality of care the father provides seems to warrant similar actions, if they are taken to foster care, they would be spared the risk of catching an infection form him and they would live with a capable adult figure that can provide emergency care for them especially owing to their health status. Nevertheless, this is extreme action and it can be avoided if the mother can agreed to undergo counseling since it clear that when she is not under the influence, she is a capable and responsible care giver. A study carried out by, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment on several cases of HIV positive and substance using patients proved that a mental diagnosis can reflect the patient’s response to the medical diagnosis (2000). Therefore, the frequent “bends” can be viewed her escape from her problems and this calls of a psychological diagnosis and counseling both with the addiction as well as in dealing with her HIV status. In addition, family therapy is one of the most progressive means through which issues like the ones facing Wallace’s family since they can express their pent up feelings and conflicts as well as learn to forgive and live harmoniously with each other (Akpama, 2013). This family including Wallace’s mother in-law could undergo joint sessions together as part of the intervention. (Group therapy)Tanisha’s mother could easily assist the family because she has proven to being a capable caregiver and has experience in dealing with troubled children; however, she says she does not want to enable her daughter’s habits for which she blames herself. Evidently, there are unresolved issues between them, when families engage in group therapy, they are often able to work out their mutual problems and create a support system (Forsman, Schierenbeck, & Wahlbeck, 2011). In conclusion, if there is a responsible individual to assist the family, she could help Wallace and his wife deal with both their psychological and physical problems in a healthy way. At the end of the day, the family can remain together which is the best case scenario for the children, as long as their parents are able to take responsible care of them without exposing them psychical or psychological trauma. References Akpama, E. G. (2013). Effect of group counselling on the psychological adjustment of people living with HIV/AIDS in central senatorial zone, cross-river state, Nigeria. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 3(2), 377-385. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-CDC. (2013). Syphilis - CDC Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm Chesson, H. W., Pinkerton, S. D., Voigt, R., & Counts, G. W. (2003). HIV infections and associated costs attributable to syphilis infection among African Americans. American Journal of Public Health, 93(6), 943-8. Forsman, A. Schierenbeck, I. & Wahlbeck, J. (2011) psychosocial interventions for the promotion of mental health and the prevention of depression among older adults. Health Promote. Int. (2011) 26 (suppl 1): i85-i107. Goodyer, I. (1990). “Family Relationships, Life Events and Childhood Psychopathology.” Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 31: 161-192. Kahn, R. S., Brandt, D. & Whitaker, R. C. (2004). Combined effect of mothers and fathers' mental health symptoms on children's behavioral and emotional well-being. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 158(8), 721-9. Lee, S., Detels, R., Rotheram-Borus, M., & Duan, N. (2007). The effect of social support on mental and behavioral outcomes among adolescents with parents with HIV/AIDS. American Journal of Public Health, 97(10), 1820-6. Manousos, I. R., & Williams, D. I. (1998). The locus of denial. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 11(1), 15-22. Marsh, D. (2011). Children of Parents with Mental Illness. BC Council for Families. Retrieved from http://www.bccf.ca/all/resources/children-parents-mental-illness Oskouie, F., Zeighami, R. & Joolaee, S.(2011). Outcomes of parental mental illness on children: A qualitative study from Iran. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 49(9), 32-40. Reverby, S. ed.(2000) Tuskegee's Truths: Rethinking the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Studies in Social Medicine. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. Whittlesey, S. W. et al.. (1999). Avoidance in trauma: Conscious and unconscious defense, pathology, and health. Psychiatry, 62(4), 303-12. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons with HIV/AIDS. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); (2000). (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 37.) Chapter 7—Counseling Clients With HIV And Substance Abuse Disorders. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64930/ Onyeka, T, C. (2010) Psychosocial Issues in Palliative Care: A Review of Five Cases. Indian Journal of Palliative Care. 16(3): 123–128. doi: 10.4103/0973-1075.73642 Read More