Understanding an adolescent’s behavior can be at times elusive and even frustrating

Required Readings

Gross, J. T., Stern, J. A., Brett, B. E., & Cassidy, J. (2017). The multifaceted nature of prosocial behavior in children: Links with attachment theory and research. Social Development, 26(4), 661–678.

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014a). Sessions: case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
The Bradley Family (pp. 17–19)

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

Working With Families: The Case of Brady (pp. 26–28)

Note: Depending on your concentration, you may not receive a case study book until a later term. Therefore, if you did not receive a copy of Social Work Case Studies: Concentration Year in your previous course, use the linked PDF provided here. If you did receive the book referenced above, you may find the cases there or use the PDF.

Springer, D. W., & Powell, T. M. (2013). Assessment of adolescents. In M. J. Holosko, C. N. Dulmus, & K. M. Sowers (Eds.), Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions (pp. 71–95). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Withers, M. C., McWey, L. M., & Lucier‐Greer, M. (2016). Parent–adolescent relationship factors and adolescent outcomes among high‐risk families. Family Relations, 65(5), 661-672.

Required Media

Sprouts. (2017, April 23). 8 stages of development by Erik Erikson [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYCBdZLCDBQ&feature=youtu.be

The School of Life. (2015, March). Psychotherapy-John Bowlby [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LM0nE81mIE

TEDxYouth. (2013, February 12). Insight into the teenage brain: Adrianna Galvan [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWUkW4s3XxY

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Bradley family: Episode 2 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Accessible player --Downloads--Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload TranscriptCredit: Provided courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.

Optional Resources

Use this link to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.

Discussion 2: Developmental Stages

Understanding an adolescent’s behavior can be at times elusive and even frustrating. Due to the multiple aspects of the developmental tasks during these years, it can be at times quite challenging to clearly define the issue(s) at hand. Assessment during this stage will include an evaluation of whether an adolescent’s actions are indicative of unhealthy behavior or merely representative of being an adolescent. A comprehensive assessment that includes an evaluation of the client’s developmental stage is a priority when working with this age group.

For this Discussion, choose the opposite case from Discussion 1 and use Erikson’s developmental theory.

By Day 4

Post an assessment of whether the client is mastering the stage of identity. Identify the areas that should be addressed in an intervention based on his or her developmental stage. Describe how you might address those areas.