Behavioural Changes in a 14-Year-Old Boy - Personal Statement Example

Behavioral Changes in a 14 Year Old Boy Affiliation with more information about affiliation, researchgrants, conflict of interest and how to contact Behavioral Changes in a 14 Year Old Boy Part 1 – Setting the Scene (2 Page Letter): My son, John, studying in high school has always been a good lad both in the academic and extracurricular activities as well as in terms of his interaction with others. He has remained quite active with physical activities and he plays badminton in the morning and football in the evening at the community club. In addition to various academic acclaims, he has also received the junior badminton championship trophy in the district and also represents the district team in football. He is an avid reader, especially of fiction, and occasionally tries his hand in writing poetry and prose. I have happened to read some of his stories and poems and I can say with some confidence that though not a great writer, he is very imaginative and writes fairly well in terms of the mechanics of the language. His grades in the school always have always remained stable in the range of A and A+, especially in writing projects. He spends a reasonable time watching TV, especially programs relating to science. He also plays computer games and is active online with engagement in social networks but never has indulged in anything for excessive time or with any issues that should raise concern. He has been highly tolerant of his younger sister who is 7 years and loves and supports her very much. However, recently, I have noticed a trend in him of being easily irritated with her and losing his temperament even with me and my husband. Similarly, of late he has developed the habit of coming home very late after we all have slept. My husband believes that children should be allowed a reasonable amount of freedom and parents should never poke their nose into their affairs. However, I have been so concerned and worried about the changes in him and in the last term examination his grades have fallen. When I brought this to the notice of my husband he said this is not a matter of worry as this may be due to transitioning to adulthood. However, instead of allowing the situation to deteriorate, I have decided to keep a tab on my son and started looking for signs that may offer me hints on his behavioral changes. I visited a friend of his, who lives in a villa, a few blocks from our residence. The boy has been initially very hesitant to part with any information about my son. However, when I kept persuading saying that this is essential to save my son from any danger, he revealed that my son has recently taken to drinking and at times he also abuses drugs. I confronted my husband telling him that we need to intervene to salvage the situation and he agreed. We decided to counsel him ourselves and sort out his problem through the technique of family therapy. Research on the Topic: The most significant factor I found during the research I conducted to learn about the possible problems in my son is that parents have to prepare adolescents for “upcoming changes” in their body so that they do not become confused when such changes occur (Developing Adolescents, 2002, p.7). In order to cope with the situation, they may turn to alcohol or drug abuse and evidence suggest that misuse of drugs and alcohol are “prevalent among adolescents” (Monti et al, 2005, p.207). Evidence suggests that consumption of alcohol during adolescence hampers “cognitive development” to a considerable extent apart from preempting adolescents from acquiring appropriate life skills required for “adaptive adult functioning” (p.216). It also transpires that adolescents go through “enormous and complex” problems during this particular stage of their development (p.216). Another major concern in this regard is that the alcohol and drug problems of John may persist into his adulthood and “chronic disease and mortality” if not checked in time with appropriate intervention strategies (Olson, 2008, p.359). In this connection, it becomes relevant that though John may be engaging in substance abuse moderately at this juncture, he runs the risk of developing dependency as he grows into adulthood. Evidence emerging from major research studies also suggests that the “transitional phase” from childhood to adulthood may not always be an easy process for many adolescents and they may have to deal with the turmoil of physical and mental changes (Buwalda et al, 2010, p.1713). Similarly, during this stage, adolescents undergo various changes in their brain structure that involve “reproductive behavior” as well as other aspects that become essential to “survive independently” as adults (p.1713). In the case of John, it appears that the physical and mental changes, coupled with a sense of losing the “care and protection from parents” as he grows into independence, may have contributed to some sort of anxiety and as a response to this fear he may have sought solace in drinking and drug abuse (p.1713). Such concerns appears to be the normal reaction of adolescents as they grow up because they may have a perception that their parents will not care for them as much as they have been doing earlier. In John’s case especially, since his kid sister is only 7 years, he may have noticed me and my husband paying more attention to her than him. This, on the one hand, may have caused anxieties in him while on the other it may have developed in him some kind of jealousy towards his sister. Jealousy can be perceived as an “inherently relational emotion” and research evidence suggests that siblings, especially elder ones, have to deal with jealousy “throughout their lifespan” (p.364, 367). Research evidence further contends that “navigating puberty” is a major concern for the adolescents and various physical, “hormonal and nerve-related changes” and these may cause an increase in the stress levels of adolescents (Wolfe & Mash, 2006, p.12). Therefore, this stage can entail an “inflection in risky behaviors” including the indulgence in alcohol and drugs (Casey & Jones, 2010, p.1189). It also transpires that alcohol and drug use during the transformational stage from adolescence to adulthood can contribute significantly to exacerbating the changes in teenagers and may lead to “subsequent abuse and dependence” (p.1190). In this context, it has further been emphasized that though the negative effects of alcohol use such as hangover serve as cues to eschew the behavior, some of the positive impacts such as “social facilitation” makes adolescents continue the habit (p.1196). Similarly, many research studies suggest that alcohol consumption not only causes alcohol-related deaths, but also significantly induces many risky behaviors such as “suicide, interpersonal violence, drunk driving” and may entail in fatalities such as traffic accidents (Pederson & Soest, 2013, p.1). Evidence further contends that “pressure from peers” has crucial influence on drinking habits of adolescents and due to fear of being isolated they often succumb to such pressures (p.2). On the other hand, it transpires that while the influence of the quality of parental relation has been found to be significant in the case of girls only and so far it relates to boys peer pressures “outweigh parental influences” (p.2). While most of the findings of the research on the topic have been highly useful in a general context, this particular information has been specifically relevant for understanding John’s particular case. We both are social drinkers but we consume alcohol very moderately. Thus, it becomes evident in John’s case that peer pressure is the reason for his indulgence in alcohol and drugs. Therefore, when considering the solutions to his problem, we will need to focus on addressing his peer pressure more significantly than other aspects. Solution to the Problem: I do understand that a good, supportive family with appropriate “problem solving skills” can be instrumental in solving the addiction problem of adolescents during their times of such difficulties (Acton, 2009, p.6). Similarly, “positive communication” among the family members along with providing supports for exploring, enjoying and developing his “varied interests and talents will also go a long way in helping him resolve his anxieties (p.6). In the case of John, as he has varied interests in sports and artistic endeavors, diverting his attention into these activities with the support of parents will fetch considerable positive outcomes. Thus, I plan to engage him more actively with various physical activities and encourage him to take up a writing course so that he can develop his talents in the art. Engagement with such positive indulgences will help him address his anxieties apart from stimulating his physical health and intellectual capabilities. On the other hand, it transpires from the findings of research studies that authoritative parenting style, which encompasses “monitoring and supervision” will enable us to exercise better control over our son’s activities (Kopko, 2007, p.6). So, I will also emphasize to my husband the need for intervening with the activities of my son and also he that he should not be too liberal with him. This will create a feeling in John that his activities are being watched by his parents, which will make him exercise more discretion and control over his activities, especially drinking and drug abuse. Similarly, the research on the topic has established a strong relationship between alcoholism in adolescents and peer pressure. Therefore, we will focus on addressing the issue of peer pressure, as this can resolve the problem to a great extent. We will make it clear to him that even if he does not drink he can still have friends especially due to the fact that he has a pleasing personality and his other traits including academic and sports performance will encourage others to share his company. This can restore his confidence level and he may be able to desist peer pressure to a great extent. On the other hand, I will also explore the need for clinical intervention such as Healthy Teens Intervention, which envisages health and risk screening, motivational interviewing etc, which are “designed to enhance adolescent well visit” for sensitive problems such as alcohol or drug abuse (Olson, 2008, p.359). Similarly, John needs a reinforcement of the belief that his parents will not stop caring and supporting him because he is growing up. This can be done by way of an open discussion between him and us, where we will clearly tell him that we will be still caring for him even after he grows up. Another major concern for him may be the feeling that we care for his sister than we do for him, which may have caused jealousy and a sense of sibling rivalry in him. Again, constant open conversations with reassertion that parents do not make differences among their children will help him reestablish his confidence besides making him understand that as the elder brother, he also needs to take care of his younger sister. In this context, it becomes relevant here that John does care for his sister and always do sacrifices for her both in terms of time and material. Thus, with a little revelation of our feelings and open talk seem to be sufficient to remove any misunderstandings that he may have. I am sure that with the above efforts from our side, John will be able to understand the situation and the importance of living responsibly to become successful in later life. Thus, he will be able to overcome his habit of drinking and drug abuse through motivation and involvement in physical exercises, sports activities as well as other creative activities. Reference List Acton, M. (2009). Parenting Positively: Teenage Well-being for Parents of Teenagers. Dublin: Family Support Agency. Retrieved from Bevan, J. L. & Hale, J. L. (2006). Negative Jealousy-Related Emotion Rumination as Consequences of Romance Partner, Cross-Sex Friend, and Sibling Jealousy Expression. Communication Studies, 57 (4): 363-379. Buwalda, B., Geerdink, M., Vidal, J. & Koolhaas J. M. (2011). Social Behavior and Social Stress in Adolescence: A Focus on Animal Modes. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 35: 1713-1721. Casey, B. J. & Jones, R. M. (2010). Neurobiology of the Adolescent Brain and Behavior: Implications for Substance Use Disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 49 (12): 1189-1201. Developing Adolescents. (2002). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Retrieved from Kopko, K. (2007). Parenting Styles and Adolescents. Cornell University: Cornell Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from Monti, P. M. et al. (2005). Adolescence: Booze, Brains and Behavior. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 29 (2): 207-220. Pederson, W. & Soest, T. (2013). Socialization to Binge Drinking: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study with Emphasis on Parental Influences. Drug & Alcohol Dependence. Olson, A. L., Gaffney, C. A., Lee, P. W. & Starr, P. (2008). Changing Adolescent Health Behaviors: The Healthy Teens Counseling Approach. American Journal of Preventive Medicines, 35 (5S): 359-364. Wolfe, D. A. & Mash, E. J. (2006). Behavioral and Emotional Disorders in Adolescents: Nature, Assessment and Treatment. New York: Guilford Press. Read More