Michaels Stress - Case Study Example

? Case Study Analysis: Michael BY YOU YOUR SCHOOL INFO HERE HERE Case Study Analysis: Michael Question Michael’s stress is caused by a recent divorce and the stress associated with having only partial custody, which allows only two monthly visits. His work schedule as a pilot forbids the ability to maintain closer contact with his children and this is causing a variety of physical symptoms as a result. Michael would like to change his job responsibilities to be more adaptive to a broader visitation schedule, however the financial worries associated with his move seems to conflict with his ethical and emotional stability, thus creating anxiety and physical health problems. This scenario is causing conflict so intense that it is physically impacting Michael’s long-term health prospects. Additionally, workplace concerns over potentially losing his job further complicates his ability to approach the situation as it would lead to financial ruin and homelessness associated with unemployment. He worries, essentially, that he would be short-listed as a potential layoff candidate if he were to ask his superiors to adjust his schedule. Question 2 Fortunately, Michael is fully functional and there is no evidence that his own self-concept or self-esteem has been impacted negatively. It is mostly the anxiety caused by a variety of family-related and workplace-related situations that are causing his frustration and internal conflict. Anxiety is not necessarily a product of self-esteem problems, but is an outcome of externalized stressors that are creating the scenario where Michael must choose between two consequences, both of which maintain negative consequences if he approaches them in the pursuit of improving his family lifestyle. Michael seems to be withdrawing from his problems by avoiding managing them, such as asking his superiors for a more flexible schedule. There is no evidence that his self-concept has been affected negatively, only that Michael seems to have a lower locus of control, meaning that he believes external scenarios are directly responsible for his problems. Otherwise, Michael does not seem to manifest long-term self-esteem problems. Question 3 Adjustment is defined as “any effort to cope with stress, whether successful or not” (Morris & Maisto, 2005, p.452). Michael, as a fully functional person, is weighing the demands of his external environment against his desire for more realistic possibilities related to his career and his family life. He seems to understand, fully, the burdens that the external environment places on his life and feels trapped by circumstance with his externalized locus of control beliefs. His recent life changes have left him unable to adjust successfully, however he is at least not manifesting more complicated emotional or cognitive problems such as avoidance or concentrated withdrawal. He is clearly feeling pressured by what is occurring in his work life and family life and is doing the best he can to maintain a positive outlook despite the consequences of approaching the situation with direct confrontation. In Michael’s case, personal growth can be achieved, since he really is affected by circumstances out of his control, through exercise, meditation, and practical physician visits or counseling sessions. Question 4 Michael, again, shows all of the traditional signs of a fully functional person and does not seem to be manifesting any of the traditional defense mechanisms commonly found in such scenarios. He recognizes the source, effectively, of his problems and considers their impact if he were to confront them head-on. For example, he is not projecting his anger, denying the existence of the problem, or displacing his feelings by shifting his aggressions onto another person or object, as described by Freudian beliefs related to defense mechanisms. Instead, Michael is simply allowing his externalized stressors to create physical symptoms that could be controlled with active counseling and a trained person to help him work through his difficult emotions. In a sense, Michael is dealing with two different bereavement situations, both his divorce and loss of full-time custodial rights to his children. To cope more effectively, Michael could seek out a support network of family, friends, our counselors to help him identify and come up with solutions to what is causing his anxiety. “Groups for bereaved children can be particularly helpful” (Weiten & Lloyd, 2005, p.324). This solution was chosen as it provides a network of trusted individuals who can offer potential solutions Michael may not have thought of himself. Question 5 Michael seems to exhibit conscientiousness under the Big Five Personality Traits Model, indicating a diligent, disciplined, and dependable personality. Michael is not reacting negatively to the situations he is facing by accepting the risks of potential layoff by changing his schedule inappropriately and manifests all of the personality traits associated with a responsible and well-adjusted individual. He is not overly agreeable nor becoming introverted, instead he recognizes his role as employee and father and is trying his best not to let these issues complicate his life. Because he is driven by his fully functional attitude, Michael is ensuring that all aspects of his life do not receive long-term damage if he were to request a schedule change at a time where budgets at work are already strained. This strong conscientiousness is keeping him dedicated to his responsibilities, which seems to conflict with his inherent desires and ethical make-up related to family lifestyle. Question 6 Michael is in a transition period from early adulthood development to middle adulthood development where new priorities develop regularly. He is approaching the age where midlife crises are common, which could be a factor driving his anxiety that is leading to physical health-related manifestations. His social clock might be problematic for him at this stage of development, where he believes that he should have accomplished more by the age of 40 than what his actual circumstances allow. In this stage of development, there is usually a strong push for more intimacy and strengthened relationships in life, however this is being affected negatively by a sudden divorce and loss of his children as a regular part of his lifestyle. This is likely what is producing the high levels of frustration and anxiety that has created new fears associated with death and dying. These are common attitudes in midlife as people ponder their futures and their previous historical accomplishments. Question 7 Again, usually in this stage of adulthood development, people tend to focus more on the quality of their relationships, hoping for deeper associations and more intimacy at the romantic level. Michael’s marriage lasted 15 years, which was ample time for the relationship to develop in multiple areas including intimacy and often where self-esteem is enhanced by the presence of rewarding family relationships. All of this was abruptly taken away as Michael was beginning to find his identity in midlife development. Nearly all men after 40 go through some form of midlife crisis (Weiten & Lloyd) and these environmental stimuli are not helping as he transitions to a new stage of living. His perceptions of male/female loyalty were shattered, likely, by the divorce which only complicates this adjustment period. Meanwhile, his ability to be a stable and loving father is being questioned by circumstances, making him worry about his future as a rewarding caretaker for his children. He must address his anxiety before it causes long-term health consequences. References Morris, C. & Maisto, A. (2005). Psychology: An Introduction, 12th ed. Pearson Prentice Hall. Weiten, W. & Lloyd, M. (2005). Psychology Applied to Modern Life, 7th ed. Thomson Wadsworth. Read More