Mental Development Challenges Among Children - Assignment Example

Clinical Social Work with African Americans al Affiliation) Introduction Mental Health is an imperative health issue thathas been ascribed to various social challenges; this has compelled various mental health practitioners to formulate treatment plans that would ensure reduction of associated challenges. One of the approaches that have been greatly applied to solve mental challenges is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This method entails the application of a psychotherapeutic approach that focuses on addressing emotional, psychological dimensions as well as maladaptive behaviors exhibited by an individual through a process based on goals (Taylor 2012). This discussion will focus on application of this approach to solve the challenges facing Ron, a sixteen year old boy that has exhibited aggressive behaviors and bullying towards his peers, teachers and other members of the society. Moreover, this discussion will explicit how the character of fear towards men and being flat as exhibited by Ron can be solved through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. On the other hand, Ron has a background characterized by a guardian that is drug addicted to crack; this discussion will attempt to identify if this background is contributing factor to the challenges faced by Ron. Theoretical perspectives that can be applied to solve Ron’s mental challenge will also be discussed herein. Consequently, the discussion will highlight and elaborate, whether this mental health challenge is common only among the African-Americans or whether it affects other ethnic groups. Key Words: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; mental challenge; African-America and Psychotherapeutic Approach. Summary of Ron’s Case and Diagnosis The application of Cognitive Behavioral Approach is imperative to solve the challenge facing Ron. This is due to the massive research that has been undertaken to determine the efficacy of this approach in relation to solving mood challenges, addiction to drugs and substances, personality, anxiety as well as incidences of absentee parents. The use of symptoms in Cognitive Behavioral Approach has been regarded as a factor that has enhanced its efficacy as compared to other psychodynamics approaches. From Ron’s perspective, it is apparent that his is suffering from various challenges. The first challenge faced by Ron is the fact that he has an absentee father: Research has shown that children that grow in the absence of fathers are likely to grow-up with a violent behavior. This is due to the fact that they tend to be misguided by certain quarters of the society who opt for violence as a means of solving the challenges they face. On the other hand, absentee an father affects the intellectual development of children in a negative dimension. In most cases, mothers usually focus on nurturing the growth of their children, while fathers specifically focus on facilitating mental growth and achievement in areas like academics. Consequently, the aspect of absentee father in Ron’s life could affect his emotional development. Research has indicated that fathers tend to give a higher level of attention towards incidences of low emotions that may affect their children; hence assisting them to validate such emotions through creating patience and understanding in their low emotions period. Another challenge that has a negative direct effect on Ron’s mental health is the fact that he has mother, addicted to crack. This indicates that Ron could be suffering from lack of appropriate care, as research has shown that mothers are caregivers and usually take critical roles in nurturing the development of children at the early stages of growth. In addition, research has shown that drug addict parents may have negative effects on the bonding process in children through affecting the manner by, which they understand the emotions of other people as well as the general inter-personal skills. Drug addict parents may also reduce their children’s level of self-esteem thus affecting their academic performance. On the other hand, drug addict parents may create social impaired cognition among children hence affecting their capacity to recognize one’s self compared to others. It could be possible that Ron is also suffering from social stigma owing to the fact that his mother is a drug addict and he feels intimidated among his peers and adults on this issue. Additionally, Ron could also be affected by lack of parental supervision owing to the fact that he has an absentee father and a crack addict mother; drug addict parents tend to spend their time to look for funds for drugs instead of devoting their time to take care of their children. Ron is also learning in an environment where there seem to be poor relationship between teachers and students. This is due to the fact that the AA principle usually yells at students through a loudspeaker instead of facilitating proper modes of expressing information among students. On the other hand, Ron is an aggressive person towards his peers and seems to suffer from Opposition Defiant Disorder. This is due to the fact that in some cases he walks out of classroom when he engages in a verbal exchange with his teachers or even curses them when he is corrected. Application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Solve Ron’s Challenges Goal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Ron’s Scenario Application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Ron’s scenario shall focus on assessing Ron’s feelings in regard to his behaviors and the manner through, which he perceives his actions towards other people as well as other social issues that surround him facilitating his understanding and improving the manner through, which he interacts with people. However, this goal shall be achieved through four main objectives that shall involve Ron, his parent and teachers since these are the main parties he interacts with. Objectives Enhancing Ron’s Mother and Father’s understanding on her role as a parent and that she can facilitate her son’s mental and emotional development Working closely with Ron’s teachers and increasing their understanding with regard to Ron’s social life Exposing Ron to his actions and feeling especially those directed towards other parties thus enhancing his understanding that his actions can be corrected to improve his inter-personal skills Exposing Ron to Cogntive Counseling Therapy Sessions Discussion on Implementation of Objective One It is apparent that Ron tends to spend quite a lot of time with his mother basically due to the fact that his father is an absentee due to unknown causes. The first objective can be successfully achieved through engaging Ron’s mother despite the fact that she is an addict. Specifically this objective shall entail exposing Ron’s mother to processes of psychological counseling and enhancing her understanding that she is a key figure to her son’s success through appropriate mental development and emotional development, only by a process of proper parental care. However, owing to the fact that Ron’s Mother is a drug addict, specifically crack, this approach creates a need to expose her to rehabilitation session in order to solve her drug addiction problem. Discussion on Implementation of Objective Two It seems that Ron learns in a poor environment characterized by poor inter-personal relationships between pupils and Students. It seems that the school administration does not relate closely with their students thus understanding some of their needs and social challenges. The Cognitive Behavioral Approach creates a proper platform for interacting with his teachers in order to make them aware of the challenges that Ron is facing. This shall ensure that Ron is provided with proper mental and emotional mentorship not only at home and his therapist (I), but also at school. The essence of creating an environment where people understands Ron is imperative as it would improve the level and manner of relationship between him, his teachers and his peers. It could also facilitate the reduction of incidences of social stigma that he is experiencing. Discussion on Implementation of Objective Three In the third objective, Ron should be exposed to his actions and assessment of his feelings towards his actions i.e. aggression, cursing teachers, violence, his fear among adults and the essence of being flat. Specifically, this objective shall entail engaging Ron in cognitive process that makes him evaluate his feelings towards his own actions and how he feels they affect second parties. In addition, the third objective shall focus on engaging Ron to evaluate the consequences of his actions and what are his feelings regarding the solutions that can used to eliminate the challenges he is facing. In this case, the Cognitive Behavioral Approach shall facilitate evaluating and assessing Ron’s perception on his actions and his real actions thereby facilitating the generation of best solutions to his actions. Discussion on Implementation of Objective Four In relation to implementing the fourth objective, Ron and his therapist shall engage in a one-to-one cognitive therapy sessions. These sessions shall specifically involve engaging Ron in mental and emotional development through enhancing his understanding with specific focus to the consequences of his actions and the manner through, which he interacts with his peers as well as his teachers. Moreover the counseling sessions shall ensure that Ron’s psychological perception towards the manner through, which he relates to his peers, his parents and teachers as well as other adults, is improved. However, the one-on-one counseling sessions shall be guided by an approach where Ron is actively involved in providing suggestions with specific regard to how his emotional and mental challenges can be corrected. Rational for using Cognitive Behavioral Approach in Ron’s Situation Cognitive Behavioral Therapy specifically focuses on solving the mental and emotional challenges in Ron’s Context. It has been cited as one of the most effective non-clinical approaches that are effective in solving certain mental and emotional conditions that may affect personality and behaviors (http://www.webmd.com n.d). In relation to Ron’s situation, it is an appropriate platform for solving Ron’s challenges owing to the fact that it involves application of an approach that is holistic in practical terms. That is, it does not only focus on Ron as an individual, but also the surrounding environment that affects his mental and emotional facets; CBT creates a framework where the therapist (I) develops a favorable environment for Ron by involving his teachers and parents Analysis of Ron’s Situation to the African-America Situation According to a research that was undertaken by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, approximately one in every four children in the United States in the United States of America are raised in single parenthood situations. The study also indicated that approximately seventy two percent of African-American Children are raised by single parents. In addition, approximately 25% of children raised by single parents in the United States are African-American children (http://newsone.com n.d). Research has indicated that this has been a major contributing factor to the appropriate psychological and emotional development of these children (http://newsone.com n.d): This could be a factor that has affected the normal mental development of Ron. The essence of single parenthood and the associated challenges that are usually faced by raising a child by single parents has also been cited a contributing factor to the high rates of drug and substance abuse among the African-American populace. This has affected approximately 34% of children raised by single parents in the United States of America thus affecting the normal process of their cognitive development. However, research has shown that despite the fact that the essence of single parenthood is more common among African Americans, it is not unique to this ethnic group as other ethnic groups like the Hispanic and American-Indians are also highly affected with a percentage of 47% percent and 53% respectively. This has also created mental development challenges among children from these ethnic groups thus creating a need for the intervention of the government and other stakeholders. References 72 Percent Of Black Kids Raised By Single Parent, 25% Overall In U.S.. (n.d.). News One RSS. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://newsone.com/1195075/children-single-parents-u-s-american/ Children in single-parent families by race. (n.d.). Children in single-parent families by race. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/107-children-in-single-parent-families-by#detailed/1/any/false/868,867,133,38,35/10,168,9,12,1,13,185,11|/432,431 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression: Techniques, Sessions, and More. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved April 17, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-depression Taylor, R. R. (2012). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Childrens Mental Development. New York: Springer. Read More