Although there are several developmental changes that occur
during one’s pre-adult life, adulthood is no walk in the park, as there are
other challenges that individuals in this developmental period of life
experience. During adulthood, many of the struggles can affect not only the
individual, but his or her family members as well, as it is typically during
this time that marriages occur, which are often accompanied by children who are
dependent upon parents, which can compound an already challenging time. For the
current and final course project, the case of David will be reviewed through a
developmental lens, identifying the challenges and issues faced by David, as
well as some recommended interventions and treatment options to assist David
through this difficult time.
The
Case of David
There are
several individuals mentioned in the case study selected for this assignment,
but the main focus will be on David, who is a 52-year-old college educated
Caucasian male who has been divorced and is currently married to his second
wife. Between both marriages, David fills the role as a father figure to five
children, who range in age from 14-year-old twins that he is a step-father to
with his current wife, with his other children, whom he had with his first
wife, range in age between 16 and 22 years. David has worked in the human
resource field for the past 24 years and has recently been informed that there
is a potential for a promotion at his current workplace, which would mean more
money to help in the support of his family, but the trade-off would be more
time spent at work, rather than with his family.
David experiences
a high level of stress at work due to his growing list of responsibilities due
to the changes that have been made at the local rural hospital in which he
works. When coupled with his disturbed sleeping pattern brought on my residual
pain following an accident several years ago and high levels of anxiety, it has
led to the use of unhealthy coping mechanisms, namely the use of prescription
medication from his doctor, combined with a few alcoholic beverages each night
when he comes home from work. His ex-wife has mentioned that he should make
more of an effort with his 16-year-old son, who has recently started to cut
classes at school. At the same time, his current wife needs David to help out
at home, as one of his stepsons has a severe learning disability that requires
tutoring and parental support in order to maintain his current grade level.
David appears to be pulled in several directions, and may be feeling
overwhelmed by the stressors present at both home, as well as his place of
employment.
Challenges and Primary Issues
Through
reviewing the information in the case study, it is clear that there are several
challenges faced by David. These can be broken down into employment, family,
and self-care issues, with each type contributing to the current level of
anxiety and general distress that David is experiencing. At home, one of his
son’s requires additional attention in order to cope with his learning
disability, while the children he had with his first wife are also demanding
additional time and resources that David may not be able to provide at this
time.
In regards
to his work-related stressors , the company in which he is currently working has
experienced several changes recently, which has meant that David’s workload has
increased, while at the same time, the amount of time that he is allotted to
complete his work has been decreased. The task requirement of working without
enough resources, in this instance it is time that is insufficient, can lead to
high levels of stress and anxiety (Boyd, Tuckey, & Winefield, 2014).
Although there is the possibility of David receiving a promotion since his
current supervisor will be retiring soon, it is not currently known what that
position would entail and if there would be less stress associated with that
position. However, it would take away time that he could spend with his family
in exchange for an increase in pay.
The final
dimension that should be included in the challenges and issues that David is
currently experiencing is self-care and his physical and emotional health. He
has noted that he has some low back pain, which he attributes to an accident
that he was involved in when he was younger. However, rather than being due to
a previous injury, the pain could be due to the stress and anxiety that are
associated with his work and home challenges. Some research has indicated that
the presence of stress, anxiety, job dissatisfaction, and low levels of social
support in the workplace can be risk factors for the development of low back
pain (Hoy, Brooks, Blyth, & Buchbinder, 2010). The fact that David is
mixing his prescription medication with alcoholic beverages in order to reduce
his level of anxiety and help him to sleep, both of which are currently not
being alleviated sufficiently by the use of the prescription medication and
alcohol, can be quite dangerous, depending on the medication.
Lifespan Development Theoretical
Explanation of Challenges
When viewing David’s challenges
through a lifespan development, theoretical lens, specifically Erikson’s stage
of development, David falls within the Generativity vs. Stagnation stage of
psychosocial development (Schoklitsch & Baumann, 2012). During this stage,
which is the longest out of Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory,
individuals are typically busy raising children and contributing to society
through the work performed. However, if the crisis is not adequately addressed
and resolved, meaning that the individual does not feel as if his or her work
is contributing to society, there is a possibility the development of feelings
associated with stagnation (Schoklitsch & Baumann, 2012).
Looking at the challenges and issues
present in David’s life through the psychosocial stages of development, he is
at risk of falling into stagnation. For example, David has stated that the
paperwork associated with his position at work, and perhaps to a greater degree
his position in general, has begun to lack in ways that are meaningful to him.
This could mean that he does not feel as if he is contributing to society
through his current position. Additionally, with his inability to be present
and tend to his home life responsibilities, which include a wife, an ex-wife,
and five children who depend on him for financial and emotional support, can
lead to feelings that his personal life is lacking in the realm of contributing
to those around him.
Potential Impact of Individual and
Cultural Differences in the Development of David
David’s
perception of the responsibilities that he is tasked with, both at home and at
work, can be working against him, causing an increase in his stress and anxiety
levels. Additionally, at his current age of 52, his main concerns are his
family and career, based on Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development
(Schoklitsch & Baumann, 2012). These are areas that he is currently
experiencing a high level of stress, which can make tending to his
responsibilities even more difficult. It is during this stage in life that
people may experience a midlife crisis, as they search for meaning in their lives,
with approximately 10% of men in the United States undergoing a midlife crisis
(Wethington, 2000), with the mean onset age being 47.5 years (SD = 8.06 years) (Freund & Ritter,
2009). This places David at the age that a midlife crisis may occur.
Suggested Interventions
David’s
stress and anxiety, which could be contributing to his low back pain, racing
thoughts in the middle of the night, and disturbed sleeping patterns, appear to
be at the forefront in regards to the areas that may be beneficial in
addressing first. If the stressors in David’s life are tended to, whether it
means taking a break from work in his current position, asking his wife and
ex-wife to take on more responsibilities, or employing more effective and
healthy coping skills, it is likely that other areas of his life may benefit
too.
The
downsizing that David’s company has been undergoing lately is one source of
stress that he may feel powerless over. Some research has indicated that the
deleterious effects to employee health and overall well-being are often
affected by such moves within businesses and organizations (Boyd et al., 2014).
It appears that David does not have much support in the workplace, which may
make asking for help difficult. Talking to his supervisor regarding taking a
break from his current position may not be feasible. As such, addressing the
two other areas of his life may be a more effective method.
David is
currently under medical care for his anxiety and sleeplessness, for which
prescription medication has been provided by his physician. However, some
research has suggested that a comprehensive yoga program may be more effective
at reducing pain severity, anxiety, and depression when present in individuals
with low back pain, with relief experienced in as little as seven days of an
intensive yoga experience (Tekur, Nagarathna, Chametcha, Hankey, &
Nagendra, 2012). As such, it is recommended that David look into practicing
yoga movements, meditation, and gaining a deeper understanding of the yoga
philosophy, which may make his current method of coping, namely the use of
prescription medication and alcohol, obsolete.
Mindfulness
meditation and time management exercises can also be effective at addressing
the issues that David is currently experiencing in regards to his home and work
lives. Mindfulness has been known to be effective at reducing stress and
anxiety levels, as well as increase one’s sense of control (Astin, 1997). The
uncontrollable and/or unpredictable aspects of David’s position at work are cited
as the main causes of workplace stress (Michie, 2002). Through gaining an
increased sense of control by mindfulness practice and medication, David may be
able to reduce his levels of stress and anxiety.
Conclusion
It is clear
that David is experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety, with
contributions coming from his work and home lives. This can make it feel as if
he is unable to escape or see an end to his current state. As such, his mental
and physical health is being affected, with both experiencing a decline.
However, through some lifestyle modifications, including mindfulness and yoga,
as well as developing better communication skills so that he is able to share
his perceived burdens and frustrations with his supervisor, wife, and ex-wife,
David may prevent the onset of additional health complications.
** References Available Upon Request **
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