Assignment Description: The purpose of this assignment is to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of developmental and personality theories through the application of those theories to a specific case. The case study providing the basis for this paper will be provided by the professor. In the development of this paper, students are expected to:
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- Address the cultural aspects of the case
- Select two or more different theories covered in the course to explore in relation to the case
- Compare and contrast the selected theoretical approaches as they relate to the case
- Speculate about what DSM-5 diagnoses may be present
- Propose how they would engage in assessment and intervention in the context of the case with attention to multicultural considerations
- Utilize multiple sources of information that informs their development of the assignment
Case Study: Sergio and Richard
Sergio and Richard have been in a relationship for approximately 15 years and together parent 2 children. Like any family, they experience conflicts and challenges both as a couple and in their role as parents. Lately, the conflicts between Sergio and Richard have become increasingly stressful.
Background Information
Sergio is a 39 year old man and was born in Brazil. The eldest of 4 children, Sergio was loved very much by his parents. Shortly after Sergio’s 13th birthday, his father was killed in a car accident. Sergio’s role in his family of origin quickly shifted, as he was given the responsibility of taking care of his three younger siblings when his mother had to take on a second job in order to make ends meet for the family. While Sergio was proud of this responsibility, he always felt that in some way he was missing out on the opportunity to simply “be a kid.” When his youngest sibling turned 18, Sergio, age 24 at the time, came to the United States under a student visa to study business at a local university. It was during his time at the University that Sergio and Richard met and fell in love. Sergio never shared with his family in Portugal that he identifies as gay. Upon graduation 4 years later, under his student visa Sergio had 60 days to depart the U.S. However, he and Richard could not bear to be apart and Sergio remained in the U.S. undocumented.
Richard is 40 years old and was born in Philadelphia. An only child, Richard has always had a very close relationship with both his mother and father. Richard came out to his parents at the age of 15 and, despite a short time of initial tension, grew to have a very open, loving, and accepting relationship with them. From the time that Richard and Sergio met in college, Richard was always very clear that he wanted to have children. The couple adopted their daughter (Alexis, now 5 years old) and son (Carlos, now 3 years old) as co-parents, however due to Sergio’s undocumented status, Richard is listed as the only legal parent.
Presenting Problems
The conflicts between Sergio and Richard have seemed to escalate since the adoption of their son. Sergio, himself raised in the Catholic faith, feels strongly that both children should be raised in the Church. On the other hand, Richard, who was raised in the Jewish faith but now identifies as Atheist, feels just as strongly that the family should not be subjected to what he perceives as homophobia inherent in religious groups. Richard recently lost his job and the family has been struggling financially. Since becoming unemployed, Richard has been drinking more and more, now to the point that Sergio believes Richard has a problem with alcohol and uses it to “escape” their problems. Sergio is employed part-time, however his immigration status makes the stability of his employment quite tenuous.
Sergio shares that he feels unappreciated, profoundly sad, and does not feel that Richard cares for him “like he used to.” Sergio is especially concerned about the fact that he has no legal standing when it comes to the couple’s children, despite the fact that he has served as the children’s primary caregiver. Richard, while sympathetic to Sergio’s concerns about his lack of legal standing with the children, shares that he resents how Sergio is pushing the issue of religion, yet still has not shared with his own family in Portugal that he is in a same-sex relationship. To complicate matters even further, the couple has just learned that their daughter has been referred for evaluation by the school social worker due to suspicions that she is affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Instructions on Preparing the Assignment
This paper is expected to be approximately 8-10 pages in length, not including the cover page and bibliography. In addition to their course text books and the DSM 5, students should utilize at least 3 additional scholarly sources with publication dates within the past 10 years. Students should adhere to APA format, including the use of 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font, in-text citations, and running head with page numbers. Students may use the following outline in the development of their paper:
I. Introduction
II. Engagement & Assessment (15% of the Assignment grade)
A. How might the clinical social worker approach identifying mutually agreed upon intervention goals and desired outcomes with the client(s)
B. Explore the client’s presentation in the context of the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, speculating about what diagnoses may be present.
C. What strengths support the clients and what factors are limiting?
III. Issues of Diversity, Human Rights, and Justice (15% of the Assignment grade)
A. Discuss how ethnic, social, and cultural influences have affected the clients’ current presentation. How may have these influences impacted the client’s personality and development?
B. How might the social worker’s own cultural identity influence choice of theoretical approach?
C. How have the clients in this case study been affected by a lack of social and/or economic justice?
D. What is the role of the clinical social worker in advocating for human rights and justice? Discuss specific examples of social work advocacy and explore the potential effect on the client.
III. Ethical Considerations (10% of the Assignment grade)
A. Discuss the ethical principles involved in applying development and personality theories:
1. How might a social worker’s personal values influence choice of theoretical approach?
2. What steps can be taken to avoid value imposition?
3. What are examples of social work values that should guide a social worker’s theoretical approach?
B. Discuss any ethical considerations specific to this particular case study.
IV. Application of Theory (15% of the Assignment grade)
A. Identify 2 or more distinct theories of personality and/or development that you believe have application to this case.
B. Explain why you selected these theories in particular to focus on.
C. Summarize your understanding of these theories.
D. What about these theories appeal to you professionally?
E. What about these theories has particular applicability to the clients in this case?
F. Compare and contrast each theoretical approach:
1. How, in the context of this case, does each theoretical approach explain development and personality?
2. How does each approach relate to assessing the needs and strengths of the clients in this case study?
3. How might the theories selected be applied relative to the significance of ethnic, social, and cultural factors affecting the clients in this case study?
V. Intervention (20% of the Assignment grade)
A. Explore and present examples of evidenced-based practices that might inform decisions about how to intervene with the clients in this case study.
B. Which among these possible interventions would likely be the most appropriate for these particular clients? Why?
C. How might this (or these) intervention(s) represent optimal quality of life for the clients?
VI. Termination & Evaluation (15% of the Assignment grade)
A. How might the clinical social worker use reflective and summation skills to facilitate positive endings with these clients?
B. How might the social worker apply models of outcome evaluation to assess client progress and analyze the effectiveness of the intervention?
VII. Summary/Conclusion
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