The Use of Various Theories by Social Workers - Case Study Example

Case Study Analysis Name University Course Title Instructor Date 1.0 Introduction Social work offers a platform for solving individual social problems. There has been a great academic contest in the field of social on the theoretical constructs to be applied in addressing various situations. While there are those who favour psychodynamic theories tied to social learning theory, other works have advocated for holistic approach in solving client’s problem. In this context, social workers borrow various theories from other established disciplines and domesticate them appropriately (Lehmann and Coardy, 2001, p.1-8). Using Adonia’s case study and Lehamann and Coardy (2001) as a key text, this discourse outlines how a theoretical knowledge can be applied to a typical social work client situation. 2.0 The Client(s) To answer this question, I will adopt a systems approach within the context of cause and recipient framework. In the case study of Adonia, there are two categories of clients to me as a social worker. The first is Stravos as a recipient. In this context, the discourse assumes that it is the actions of other elements in the immediate Stravos environment that have made him undergo the same. This include parent (s) buying him laptop and not placing enough parental control. The second is the associated behaviour as a result of being deserted by the father and lastly the bullying he experienced in school. The second group of client is the parents. Their actions/ behaviour are critical in ensuring return to normalcy by Stravos. 3.0 Key Issues for the Client (s) 3.1 Withdrawal/ physical social isolation and Deviant Behaviours One of the principal concerns in this situation is the withdrawal or the physical isolation that Stravos is undergoing. There are two critical conditions in his withdrawal. The first is the unwillingness to go and interact with his peers/ friends. The second is the withdrawal from school as a result of bullying/ intimidation. For instance, it has been noted that the child has been bragging to her older sister that he has over four hundred friends on facebook. This means that he values virtual/ online friendship to physical relationship. The concern is critical in that he gets aggressive whenever he is called to come for a meal. Moreover, the child has been withdrawing from family outings. The same is affirmed by the mother who notes that Stravos has stopped going out to play with friends. There are various social work theories that can be used to contextualise (understand and explain) this kind of withdrawal by Stravos in relation to the experiences the whole family is going through and what Stravos as an individual is going through. For this situation, we can apply the generalist-eclectic group of theories. One theory that is applicable in this context is the ecological systems theory. According to Rothery (2001, p.69), the initial concepts over focused on individuals situation without factoring in environmental perspective. However, the reality is that the problems individuals are facing can be attributed directly or indirectly to the macro environment. For instance, let’s use the analogy of organisational behaviour. Dettmer (1997, p.7) notes that ‘an organisation is stronger as its weakest link’. The same can be localised for individual and the immediate family surrounding. In this context, an element is examined in relation to the larger environment (Lehmann & Coardy, 2001, p.7). For example, the isolation Stravos is undergoing can be attributed to various factors and thus it is these factors that should be addressed by the social worker. The first example that the mum identified is that since the laptop was bought for him, he has continually engaged with the same gadget without minding building physical relationship. Therefore, to curtail the trend of isolation, the parents/ mum should regulate the laptop and internet usage by providing other platforms for social engagement. The second factor albeit remote can be attributed to the departure of the farther. Perhaps as a male and a boy, Stravos was looking unto his father as role model, but since the dad has deserted them he is greatly affected and he misses that bond. The second issue that emerges is the deviant behaviour of Stravos towards her mum by not taking in instructions and not wanting to go to school. In analytical perspective, perhaps he deems her mum as weaker person that can’t discipline her and thus refusal to take in instructions. This attributed to the lack of father figure in the house who can instil discipline. The same kind of behaviour stravos is undergoing through is explained by individual development theory. Congress (2001, p.) notes that in the stage of industry versus inferiority which concides with age 6-12 a child might have difficulty in moving because of environmental factors. In this case the environmental factor is the absence of male parent. The last is the unwillingness to attend school as result of the earlier bullying. Deviant behaviour in individual can be explained by cognitive learning theory. In this context examines how people learn to deviant (Regehr, 2001, p.165). Cognitive theory derives its core argumentative elements from the field called social cognition. The underlying assumption is that people interact with their environment based on how they perceive and interpret it. In a precise term, people build an internal (cognitive) map of their external (social) environment, and these perceptions – rather than an objective external reality – determine their behaviour (Borum, 2004, p. 13 and 14). In this case, the bullying made him shy away from school because he had perceived school as a place of harassment and not a place for learning. The core question however, is how he became deviant. The explanation is best offered through social learning theory that states that a person’s behaviour is reinforced or discouraged by reward and punishment system. If reward the behaviour is reinforced and if punished the same is discouraged (Borum, 2004, p. 13). Thus, it means that in earlier stages the parents encouraged him or created environment that encouraged him to over indulge with computers. 4.0 Effectiveness of the Theories Chosen The theories that have been used to contextualise the above arguments are ecological systems theory and cognitive learning theory. The two theories are effective in understanding and explaining the conditions being experienced by the client (s) in numerous ways. For cognitive learning theory, it offers an insight of how people conform to norms and expectations or adopt deviant behaviour based on their perception from the larger environment (Regehr, 2001, p.165). This was critical in answering how Stravos ended up fearing school environment. On the other hand, ecological systems theory brings a holistic perspective by allowing a social worker to develop linkages between cause and end result or vice verse (Lehmann & Coardy, 2001, p. 6&7). This is critical diagnosing and providing solution to a social problem. For instance, by applying ecological systems approach instead of narrow and individually focused theory, the expose was able to identify the root of the problem as being the school environment (bullying), the laptop (the child was given a laptop without proper control) and the absence of father figure. In a nutshell, this theory is critical in offering broader picture (cause) instead of focusing on symptom. Therefore, this makes it easier for social worker to provide pragmatic solution that can empower the affected clients so as to overcome their challenges. 5.0 Engaging the Client To effectively engage the client various interpersonal skills/ people’s skills and technical skills are required. In this context, I outline the formal steps that I will follow while engaging the client. In addition I will pinpoint various micro skills/ people’s skills that I will employee while counselling the client so that he/ they can share openly. According to Hodgkinson and Starbuck (2008, p.457), it is assumed that people make decisions so as to attain certain goals and objectives by evaluating various alternatives and choosing the most viable course of action. To engage effectively with the client, I will follow the 7 steps of decision making framework. Lehmann & Coardy (2001, p.47); Swansburg (1996, p. 278) orders the steps systematically as follows: ‘identify a problem or opportunity, gather information, analyse the situation, develop options, evaluate options, select a preferred alternative and lastly, act on the decision’. The first step is to identify the problem through a collaborative input. As stated earlier these are disrespect to the mother and social withdrawal. The second step is to gather information. To gather as much information as possible I will apply attending behaviours like leaning forward, nodding head and nodding of head. The other critical micro skills that I will apply in this step are the client observation skills for verbal and non-verbal behaviour (Harms, 2007). The source of information in my case study would be from the Stravo’s parents, Stravo’s himself, the sister, former friends and class teacher. The basis for this engagement is to identify existing gaps between what used to be his character and what he is presently. In this context, I will allow for free expression of experiences the client, parents and friends have heard about him and the changes the family had undergone if any. The third step is to analyse the situation. In this phase, I will apply various theoretical constructs both eclectic and general. In this step, the engagement is more of a professional application than engagement. In addition, after analysis, I’ll make the client and interested parties aware of the same. This is premised on the fact that change begins by awareness and acceptance. The fourth step which equally is a collaborative approach is to develop options. The option that I would propose include gradual reduction of number of hours Stravo is engaging with computer, monitoring if the experiences he is undergoing in school by providing protective mechanisms and creating other fun activities that will create an impetus for him to engage social contact with his peers. The fifth stage will involve evaluating these various options using various parameters like cost benefit analysis, social impact, best fit, extreme situation among others. Others will include development of optimal routes for integrative approach instead of singular solution. After the evaluation step, I will identify the appropriate solution. In this context, there is no single solution. Thus, the solution would be to adopt an integrative plan which encompasses all alternatives provided. In implementing the solutions, the key soft skill here is motivation and emotional intelligence like empathy. Lastly, there will be continuous monitoring and evaluation of the progress. In the event that one strategy is not appropriately working I can device other options in a participatory and collaborative manner. 6.0 Addressing Different Outcomes that Might be Desired by Different Stakeholders According to my assessment, there are three outcomes that might be desired by interested stakeholders. For the parents especially the mum, she would like to have a child who is not withdrawn, her child to go back to school and appreciate it and lastly, for her child to respect her instructions. For the school, they are interested in Stravo going back to school. Equally, we can assume that his friends are interested in welcoming him back so that they can enjoy their friendship. The key issue that will help me address the different outcomes are the roles I am able to play as a social worker. Zastrow (2011, p. 39-41) identifies various role of a social worker. These include being a broker, educator, advocate, empowerer and activist among many. One critical outcome that is desired by the client and is a major role of social work is to enhance client’s problem solving capacity. To attain this, I will act as empowerer and also an advocate. I will try to empower the parent to help their son and I will equally empower the child to overcome isolation. 7.0 Conclusion The aim of the cases study was to examine how a theoretical knowledge can be applied to a typical social work client situation using Adonia’s case study and Lehamann and Coardy (2001) as a key text. The first instance was to establish who the client is. It was found out that the client(s) are the son and their parents. The case study applied two major theoretical constructs under the bigger context of generalist-eclectic theories. These two major theories discussed are ecological systems theory and cognitive learning. In relation to ecological system theory we found out that it is the environment that Stravo found himself. For instance being given laptop without proper control made him to be socially withdrawn. In relation to cognitive learning the paper found out that as result of bullying environment, Stravo feared school on the basis that it was a place for harassment. The rationale for using these theories was based their ability to allow a social worker see a wider scope rather than the narrow path. Once the theories were identified the case study offers 7 step engagement plan and various micro skills to be applied. Lastly, the paper outlines how desired different outcomes are to be addressed. References Borum, R. (2004). Psychology of terrorism. Tampa: University of South Florida. Congress, P. E. Individual and Family Development Theory in Lehmann, P. & Coady, N. (2001). Theoretical Perspectives for Direct Social Work Practice: A generalist-eclectic approach. (2nd Ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company. Dettmer, H. W. (1997). Goldratt’s theory of constraints: a systems approach to continuous improvement. Wisconsin: ASQ Quality Press. Harms, L. (2007) Working with people. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Hodgkinson, G. P. & Starbuck, W. I. (2008). The Oxford handbook of Organizational Decision Making. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Lehmann, P. & Coady, N. (Eds). (2001). Theoretical perspectives for direct social work practice: A generalist-eclectic approach. (2nd Ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company. Regehr, C. Cognitive-Behavioural Theory in Lehmann, P. & Coady, N. (2001). Theoretical Perspectives for Direct Social Work Practice: A generalist-eclectic approach. (2nd Ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company. Rothery, M. Ecological Systems Theory in Lehmann, P. & Coady, N. (2001). Theoretical Perspectives for Direct Social Work Practice: A generalist-eclectic approach. (2nd Ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company. Swansburg, R. C. (1996). Management and leadership for Nurse Managers. Sudburry: Jones and Bartlett publishers, LLC. Zastrow, C. (2011). Practice of social work: a comprehensive worktext. Belmont, CA: Thomson. Read More