Lifespan Development Stages - Case Study Example

Life Span Development Name Institution Course Date Life span Development Introduction Throughout an individual’s life time, social, psychological and physical experiences might hinder or sustain devolvement. According to Berk (2007), lifespan development stages begin from conception to death. Prenatal is the earliest stage and begins on conception to birth while late adulthood includes the category of 65 year and older individuals. Theorists like Piaget and Erikson have discussed the subject of life span development at length. Based on Piaget’s theory, there are three main stages of development in Alice’s case study. However, Erikson’s psychosocial theory reveals four stages. There are risk factors and protective measures that can be initiated. The essay analyses Alice’s case to illustrate how childhood experiences and post-traumatic stress can affect a person’s development. 1. Lifespan development stages. According to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, Corrine can be categorized under the sensorimotor stage. Most of her skills and knowledge are derived from dynamic interactions with the environment. Therefore, she is likely to be a reflection of her environment. Socially, Corrine will be in stage 1 where trust and mistrust content making her to rely majorly with hope on her grandparents and mother to curtail uncertainty. Uncertainty, at this stage is what causes crisis (Erikson, 1968). Imitation is also one of the core activities that develop a character. Although crudely, Corrine is likely to become what she sees from Alice, the parents and her uncle Jack other that her older brother Joel. At this age, the child is able to recognize the connection between causes and effects of her surroundings (Piaget). From birth to two years, a child aware of existence and tries to mug up the fact that existence of things is real even though you can’t always see them. Egocentricism is a common character among 2-6 year olds, however, more common among 2-3year old. Piaget categorizes this age group in the Preoperational stage. Based on Piaget’s theory, Corrine is at a loss since the only child in the house who she customarily imitates is at the egocentric stage. At age 3, Joel is developing mentally his dexterity in language becoming more eloquent. Since the vibrancy of objects and characters is shaping up, Joel is likely to become more organized with typifying objects. Socially, according to Erikson, Joel will be in stage 2 of development where a child tries to balance autonomy and shame. He is likely to be driven by his willpower. Another development stage that is evident is Stage 6 of Erikson’s psychosocial theory. Alice and her brother Jack fall under this category where intimacy and isolation brings forth a crisis making young adults to rely on love so as to create a balance. Based on Piaget’s theory, Alice, Jack her brother and parents will be categorized in the formal operations stage since they are over twelve years of age. 2. Non Observable Stages and Impact on Reactions There are some life stages in Alice’s life that were not immediately observable and have had a great impact on her reaction to the environment and her life at large. The middle and late childhood stage as explained by Erickson involves contesting aspects of diligence and inferiority. At age seven, Alice was expected to grasp intellectual skills from exposure to her environment. However, this could probably have been hindered as a result of separation anxiety as she was cogently taken from her parents. Such a scenario explains Alice’s ineloquence and meagre intellectual skills. Feud refers to this stage as the genital stage where an individual experiences sexual awakening. This engulfs both puberty and beyond puberty. Alice could not be guided since this stage went unnoticed, and that is why at the age she has two children (Thies & Travers, 2001).  Adolescence stage is another in Alice’s development which was assumed and has greatly wedged her reactions. As is, identity is developed and if assumed, a crisis might be triggered. Alice’s mental health problems and alcohol dependency was instigated at this stage as a result of seeking identity. Since she had a difficult childhood exposed to violence and separation from people she had learned to trust in infancy and childhood, Alice fears that the same might happen to her children. Joel is at a sensitive stage and instead of becoming independent and ingenuity; he is more withdrawn because of shame, guilt and doubt common in early childhood and infancy. Citing from her case, Alice relates Joel’s sense of guilt, resentment and anger to her own childhood. As a result, she afraid that her children will be taken from her as she was taken from her parents (Newman & Newman, 2012). 3. Potential lifespan development risk factors and protective factors Everyone in Alice’s family is a victim of violence and needs help. Therapy will be effective in all cases especially Alice other than individual help that all might need. Joel and Connie are at a risk of becoming violent, resilient and reclusive. Already Joel’s self-esteem is dented and further exposure to such kind of violence will worsen the situation. Since the children are still young, separation from such kind of violence will help. However, they should not be separated from Alice. Above all, good mothering will play a major role in protecting Alice’s children. Alice is at risk further mental problem as she continues to stay in a violent environment and worry about the children. It will also be easy to be drawn back to alcoholism to hide her frustrations. Since she has no connection with her community, improving her self-esteem and social participation would help her understand that she can improve her life and that o her community instead of separating from the community (Department of community services, 2002). Alice’s parents are at risk of accelerated aging. Normally, older people with attachments to their families including children, parents, and friends derive their happiness and well-being from having such people around them and taking care of them. According to Doherty and Feeney (2004, p.470), attachment to family involves the parents’ relationship with their adult children. However, with the violence caused by Jack, These parents might age faster than expected. Separation from this violence and appreciation from Alice and the children would help Alice’s Parents. Jack is a risk of becoming a worse bully, an addict and criminal. Although he causes harm to the family, he also hurts. In some cases, bullies become addicts or get involved in other rebellious behaviors like smoking and drinking. Some criminal cases can be attributed to uncontained violent behavior and delayed intervention. The American psychological association (APA) has incorporated measures of preventing violence and violation or imbalance of power which results to defenselessness. Jack can be enrolled into a rehabilitation center and provided for a job to help him appreciate himself. Independence boosts self-esteem and brings fulfilment. 4. Understanding Alices’s and her children’s developmental status To understand Alice’s development status and that of her children, taking them through an interview session would be appropriate (Finlayson, 2010). Some questions might apply to all parties including little Corrine. Below are some listed questions which will be appropriate for the mother and her children so as to gain better understanding of their development status. Where do you live at the moment? This will be a standard question to understand the three individually. Answers will be gauged by the attitude and emotion put into it. Who do you think you can trust to tell anything? Corrine is still young and might be trying to juggle around with trust issues. As is, finding out who she might pick as a confidant will be more fruitful. Other than Corrine, Alice and her son Joel What do you think you would want your children to be like when they grow up? As a mother, Alice’s life ought to be revolving around her children who are a better part of her existence. Finding out her expectations with regards to her children and herself will reveal any thoughts and insights that she might have bottle up. What is your greatest fear in life? Why is it? Since Joel seems to be doubtful and ashamed, asking him understanding his fears will help understand his development status. If he is to take up responsibilities for himself and others, issue of fear must be addressed. This will also help apprehend his development status and help him. How can you define yourself? This question can be mainly directed to Alice to know what she thinks of herself and achievements she has make so far in life. While interviewing Corrine and Joel, unlike Alice, it will be better to set it up outdoors and involve a bit of some play. This enables children relax and prevent apprehensiveness if any. Short structured questions will be more effective in this case (Steinberg, 2010). 5. Assessing service delivery requirements. In order to assess service delivery requirements of Alice and her children, information like medical reports. To be effective in service delivery whether to family, community or self, the right state of mind, peace and mental stability bolster efficiency. Another additional information is self-drive or the motivating factor. A person’s reactions according to Steinberg (2010), majorly depends on what their motivating factor is. Finding out previous and current involvements if any will serve as watertight evidence of service delivery requirements. However, this might not be enough. Understanding what Alice and the children would want to do will dispense a broader perspective of the requirements. 6. Impact of Household Violence on Development Corrine’s brain development is likely to be affected. Alice and her son Joel might also be victims of the same. Violence affects a child from infancy and has a greater impact on a mother at pregnancy. Suppressed brain development is one of the major effects. A child’s brain develops to 66 percent of adult brain weight between birth and of first year from 25 percent at birth. At this stage, the brain is more susceptible to trauma which can cause complete disorganization if in excess. As a result of disorganization, a child’s ability to deal with pressure in the future is suppressed. In addition, separation at age seven coupled by violence might have affected Alice as she had already developed an attachment with the parents. This attachment was broken resulting to psychological, social and mental problems (Department of community Services, 2002). Alice and her parents are experiencing desolation. Older people may react to violence differently. Since it is their child, and it has become too much for them to handle, they are likely to pretend like it never happens until Jack burps it all out again. Self-esteem in the family is a far-fetched treasure in this family since violence comes with intimidation and therefore Alice and the parents might end up not appreciating who they are. 7. Communication Approach Trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy will be most suitable approach in imitating communication with Alice. As is, the communication processes is important since it has a touch on anxiety traumatic stress which are the main challenges Alice is currently facing. This revolves around her personal life, family and society. Alice has experienced violence from her childhood, suffered separation anxiety and is an anxious teenage mother. Best kind of therapy is one that addresses all this aspects of her life while seeking to develop a full understanding of her status (Schmied &Tully, 2009). The approach will involve Alice’s parents for support and will also help mend the dented relationship since her separation. As it advances, the whole family including jack, Corrine and Joel can be involved. At the end of the day, if family cooperates, everyone will get help and benefit from it. 8. Implementation of reporting requirements. The most important requirement is client confidentiality. Some client information must never be revealed unless require by law under an oath. For accountability, Alice’s case must be reported internally in the organization and externally to relevant authorities. One of the reporting requirements is voluntary declaration by the patient of her interest to contract our services. The patient’s statement will have to be recorded and duly signed in agreement that decisions made were voluntary. This will call for the signing of a jurisdiction form giving the organization mandate to fully execute Alice’s request. After agreement, child protection department and police on behalf of government must be aware. Since Alice agrees to put in a police report, she also has to sign agreement forms (Newman & Newman, 2012).  Since the case involves children, reporting requires attachment of evidence that children in question belong to the patient. Birth certificates Alice’s identification must be reported. Watertight evidence of violence must be provided indicating the extent of exposure to harm of parties involved. Since children are minors, it serves in their best interest to avoid intense interrogation. However, their input in testifying counts. Reporting must illustrate every detail necessary especially risk factors involved. 9. Referrals Therapy for all the five is most recommended. This would help the family reveal all clustered feelings and emotional states that would probably affect development. As a result, opening up brings forth healing and abate any chances of depression. Jack, parents or Alice might feel free to open up to an outsider as opposed to family. Good motherhood is the best Alice could do for her children and the family. Although she has shown it by stepping out and admitting that Joel and Corrine are at a risk, it doesn’t end there. Going back to school to improving her skills and bettering her life financially, mentally and professionally will help Joel and Corrine look up to her and her successes. Alice will also be in a positon to help the parents (Berk, 2014).  10. Sociological factors. Domestic environment: Development is enhanced by an affable home environment. Family plays a great role in a child’s development. Violence jeopardizes the same. Other than environment at home, love and affection is another factor that fulfills the psychological need in an individual’s development. Children deprived of love and affection is likely to reject the same as they grow up. Another factor is school curricula where children through interaction with others are expose to a diverse social platform in life. In addition, participation in such platforms equips individuals with a sense of autonomy and self-esteem. Teachers at this stage therefore play a major role in development (Thies & Travers, 2001). Attitudes and social expertise are developed through such programs. Individuals are likely to be limited or motivated to participate and socialize by their family background or social economic standing. Less fortunate individuals might be intimidated and shy off from socializing while some will take it up as a challenge. In case of a child, reassurance is vital. Families in high LSM’s have opportunities to interact with more people the higher circles and may develop self-confidence compared to their counterparts (Finlayson, 2010). 11. Experts/professional that could be engaged. A therapist or guidance counselor, mentor, life coach and social worker are most important professionals to be involved. A therapist and life counselor will get the family admit their fears and get help to manage stress. Mentor will be someone that Alice will look upon to gain a positive perspective about life and self. This will open he mind to great achievements and purposeful life style. Life coach will walk with the family and teach them value of life and family and individual targets. The importance of a social worker is to monitor and affirm that necessary help is delivered effectively to Alice’s family (Department of community services, 2002). Conclusion From Alice’s case, post-traumatic experiences greatly affect individuals and families. However, with the right attitude, advice and help from professionals, People are likely to get through it all. In the event of violence, all parties, the individual violated, the bully and a bystander all happen to be victims. Interviewing patients help understand their development status. Social factors need to be taken into perspective so as to help the patient heal. Professionalism and efficiency must be observed while dealing with such patients is important since they are already vulnerable to any kinds of stress. Bibliography Berk, L. E., 2007, Development through lifespan. Illinois State University < http://catalogue.pearsoned.co.uk/samplechapter/0205491251.pdf> Finlayson, K. J., 2010, Lifespan Interview. Northern Arizona University - Yuma < http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~wjk4/ihp/starpapers/Lifespan_Interview.html> Erickson, E. H., 1968, Identity Youth and Crisis. New York, New York: W.W. Norton & Company.   Thies, K. M., & Travers, J. F., 2001, Human growth and development through the lifespan. Thorofare, N.J., Slack. Department of Community Services, 2002, Domestic violence and its impact on Development. < http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/dv_paper.pdf > Schmied V. & Tully L., 2009, Effective strategies and interventions for adolescents in a child protection context. NSW Department of community services. Ashfield. Steinberg, L. D., 2010, Life-span development. Belmont, Calif, Wadsworth. Berk, L. E., 2014, Development through the lifespan. McGraw-Hill Education Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R., 2012, Development through life: a psychosocial approach. Belmont, CA, Wadsworth Cengage Learning Doherty, N. A. & Feeney, J. A., 2004, The composition of attachment networks throughout the adult years. IARR John W Santrock, Lauren Breen, Phillipa Butcher, Emma Collier-Baker, Susan Moore, Annette Henderson, Jarrad Lum, Mark Nielsen, Elizabeth Peterson, Jan Piek, Verena Pritchard, Tim Windsor. (2014). Life Span Devlopement. McGraw-Hill Education Landry, Susan H., Swank, Paul R., Assel, Mike A., Smith, Karen E., Vellet, Sonya (2001). Does Early Responsive Parenting Have a Special Importance for Children’s Development or is consistency Across Early Childhood Necessary? Developmental Psychology, 37, 387-402. Muuss, Rolf E. (1996). Theories of Adolescence (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Read More

Already Joel’s self-esteem is dented and further exposure to such kind of violence will worsen the situation. Since the children are still young, separation from such kind of violence will help. However, they should not be separated from Alice. Above all, good mothering will play a major role in protecting Alice’s children. Alice is at risk further mental problem as she continues to stay in a violent environment and worry about the children. It will also be easy to be drawn back to alcoholism to hide her frustrations.

Since she has no connection with her community, improving her self-esteem and social participation would help her understand that she can improve her life and that o her community instead of separating from the community (Department of community services, 2002). Alice’s parents are at risk of accelerated aging. Normally, older people with attachments to their families including children, parents, and friends derive their happiness and well-being from having such people around them and taking care of them.

According to Doherty and Feeney (2004, p.470), attachment to family involves the parents’ relationship with their adult children. However, with the violence caused by Jack, These parents might age faster than expected. Separation from this violence and appreciation from Alice and the children would help Alice’s Parents. Jack is a risk of becoming a worse bully, an addict and criminal. Although he causes harm to the family, he also hurts. In some cases, bullies become addicts or get involved in other rebellious behaviors like smoking and drinking.

Some criminal cases can be attributed to uncontained violent behavior and delayed intervention. The American psychological association (APA) has incorporated measures of preventing violence and violation or imbalance of power which results to defenselessness. Jack can be enrolled into a rehabilitation center and provided for a job to help him appreciate himself. Independence boosts self-esteem and brings fulfilment. 4. Understanding Alices’s and her children’s developmental status To understand Alice’s development status and that of her children, taking them through an interview session would be appropriate (Finlayson, 2010).

Some questions might apply to all parties including little Corrine. Below are some listed questions which will be appropriate for the mother and her children so as to gain better understanding of their development status. Where do you live at the moment? This will be a standard question to understand the three individually. Answers will be gauged by the attitude and emotion put into it. Who do you think you can trust to tell anything? Corrine is still young and might be trying to juggle around with trust issues.

As is, finding out who she might pick as a confidant will be more fruitful. Other than Corrine, Alice and her son Joel What do you think you would want your children to be like when they grow up? As a mother, Alice’s life ought to be revolving around her children who are a better part of her existence. Finding out her expectations with regards to her children and herself will reveal any thoughts and insights that she might have bottle up. What is your greatest fear in life? Why is it? Since Joel seems to be doubtful and ashamed, asking him understanding his fears will help understand his development status.

If he is to take up responsibilities for himself and others, issue of fear must be addressed. This will also help apprehend his development status and help him. How can you define yourself? This question can be mainly directed to Alice to know what she thinks of herself and achievements she has make so far in life. While interviewing Corrine and Joel, unlike Alice, it will be better to set it up outdoors and involve a bit of some play. This enables children relax and prevent apprehensiveness if any.

Short structured questions will be more effective in this case (Steinberg, 2010). 5. Assessing service delivery requirements.

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