ENVIRONMENT
PERSPECTIVES ON DEVELOPMENT AND THE LIFE COURSE
To all social workers, both students and those in the field, who help to shape my ideas and inspire me personally and professionally.
Brief Con T en T s
Preface xxvi
Acknowledgments xxxiv
About the Author xxxv
C h APT er 1 Human Behavior and the Social Work Profession 1
C h APT er 2 Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: The Person in the Environment 24
C h APT er 3 Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Biopsychosocial Dimensions 63
C h APT er 4 Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Sociocultural Dimensions 111
C h APT er 5 Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Social Change Dimensions 147
C h APT er 6 Pre-Pregnancy and Prenatal Issues 180
C h APT er 7 Development in Infancy and Early Childhood 219
C h APT er 8 Development in Middle Childhood 259
C h APT er 9 Development in Adolescence 291
C h APT er 10 Development in Early Adulthood 335
C h APT er 11 Development in Middle Adulthood 373
C h APT er 12 Development in Late Adulthood 407
C h APT er 13 Looking Forward: Challenges and Opportunities for the Social Work Profession 455
References R–1
Glossary/Index I–1
Preface xxvi
Acknowledgments xxxiv
About the Author xxxv
C h APT er 1 Human Behavior and the Social Work Profession 1
Defining “Human Behavior in the Social Environment” 1
Understanding How Knowledge and Theory Inform Social Work 3
The Role of Theory 4
Theoretical Lenses 5
Interactions of Theories 6
The Debate about Empirical Knowledge and Practical Knowledge 7
The Quality of Knowledge and Theory 10
Quick guide 1: evaluative criteria for theory 11
Quick guide 2: evaluative criteria for research 12
Theoretical Eclecticism 13
The Single Theory Argument 13 The Argument for Eclecticism 14
The Application of Theory and Knowledge in Social Work Practice 16
Maintaining Social Work Values 17
Learning About Human Behavior and Social Work Practice 18
Relating Knowledge of Human Behavior to Other Social Work Courses 19
Framing the Study of Human Behavior through this Book’s Organization 20
Conclusion 20
Main Points 21
Exercises 22
C h APT er 2 Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions:
The Person in the Environment 24
Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Levels of Conceptualization 25
Quick guide 3: the person in the environment lens: theories, approaches, and perspectives 26
Applying the Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Levels of Conceptualization 28
Critiquing the Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Levels of Conceptualization 30
The Biopsychosocial Approach 31
Applying the Biopsychosocial Approach 32
Critiquing the Biopsychosocial Approach 33
Systems Theory 35
Diagramming Family Systems 38
Genograms 38
Ecomaps 40
Applying Systems Theory 42
Family Subsystems and Boundaries 42
Roles and Homeostasis 43
Input and Output 43
Entropy 43
Equifinality and Multifinality 44
Critiquing Systems Theory 44
Ecological Theory 45
Applying Ecological Theory 49
Critiquing Ecological Theory 50
The Ecosystems Approach: Combining Ecological and Systems Theories 51
The Strengths Perspective 52
Applying the Strengths Perspective 54
Critiquing the Strengths Perspective 55
Intersectionality Theory 56
Applying Intersectionality Theory 57
Critiquing Intersectionality Theory 58
Conclusion 58
Main Points 59
Exercises 60
C h
APT
er
3 Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions:
Biopsychosocial Dimensions 63
Quick guide 4: the biopsychosocial lens: theories, models, and perspectives 64
The Disease Model 66
The Medical Model 66
Quick guide 5: dsm-5 assessment 67
Key Elements of Human Biology 68
The Brain and the Nervous System 68 Neurons 71
Neurotransmitters 73
The Endocrine System 74
Genetics 77
Applying the Medical Model 80
Critiquing the Medical Model 81
Theories of Cognitive Development 83
Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development 83
Applying Piaget’s Theory 85
Critiquing Piaget’s Theory 86
Psychodynamic Theories 87
Freud’s Theory of Psychosexual Development 87
Applying Freudian Theory 90
Critiquing Freudian Theory 91
Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development 92
Applying Erikson’s Theory 94
Integrating Erikson’s Theory with Piaget’s Theory 95
Critiquing Erikson’s Theory 96
Behavioral and Learning Theories 97
Classical Conditioning 97
Operant Conditioning 98
Social Learning Theory 99
Applying Learning Theory 101
Critiquing Learning Theory 102
Humanistic and Existential Perspectives 102
Person-Centered Therapy and Transactional Analysis 103
Person-Centered and Participant-Directed Service Models 104
Applying Humanistic and Existential Perspectives 105
Critiquing Humanistic and Existential Perspectives 106
Conclusion 107
Main Points 107
Exercises 108
C h APT er 4 Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions:
Sociocultural Dimensions 111
Quick guide 6: the sociocultural lens: theories, models, and perspectives 112
Sociological Theories 113
Conflict Theory 114
Karl Marx and Conflict Theory 114
Conflict Theories since Marx 114
Applying Conflict Theory 116
Family 116
Health Care 117
Conflict Theory and Social Work 118
Aisha’s Case and Conflict Theory 119
Critiquing Conflict Theory 120
Critical Practice Theory 121
Applying Critical Practice Theory 122
Critiquing Critical Practice Theory 122
Functionalist Theory 123
Emile Durkheim 123
Robert K. Merton 124
Talcott Parsons 125
Applying Functionalist Theory 125
Education and Language 125
Functionalist Theory and Social Work 126
Aisha’s Case and Functionalist Theory 126
Critiquing Functionalist Theory 127
Symbolic Interaction Theory and Social Constructionism 128
George Herbert Mead 130
Charles Horton Cooley 130
Erving Goffman 131
C h APT er 5
Applying Symbolic Interaction Theory 131
Body Piercing 131
Aisha’s Case and Symbolic Interaction Theory 131
Critiquing Symbolic Interaction Theory 132
Feminist Theory 133
Branches of Feminist Theory 134
Applying Feminist Theory 136
Critiquing Feminist Theory 136
Cultural Perspectives 137
Cultural Perspectives and Social Work 139
Culture and the NASW Code of Ethics 140
Minorities’ Dual Perspective 140
Multiculturalism 141
Applying Cultural Perspectives 142
Critiquing Cultural Perspectives 143
Conclusion 143
Main Points 144
Exercises 145
Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Social Change Dimensions 147
Theories of Racism, Discrimination, and Oppression 148
Quick guide 7: the social change lens: theories and perspectives 149
Racism 151
Discrimination, Prejudice, and Privilege 153
Theories of Prejudice 155
Oppression 158
Applying Theories of Racism, Discrimination, and Oppression 159
Critiquing Theories of Racism, Discrimination, and Oppression 160
Manifestations of Racism, Discrimination, and Prejudice: Microaggressions 161
Social and Economic Justice Perspectives 163
Applying Social and Economic Justice Perspectives 166
Critiquing Social and Economic Justice Perspectives 167
Social Change and Social Action Perspectives 168
Contemporary Social Action Perspectives 169
C h APT er 6
Applying Social Change and Social Action Perspectives 170
Critiquing Social Change and Social Action Perspectives 171
Community Organization Theory 172
How Social Work Defines and Perceives Community 172
Community and Social Work Practice 174
Applying Community Organization Theory 175
Critiquing Community Organization Theory 176
Conclusion 176
Main Points 177
Exercises 178
Pre-Pregnancy and Prenatal Issues 180
Developmental Milestones in the Fetus 181
Growth Processes from Conception through Birth 181
Quick guide 8: milestones in fetal development 182
Low Birth Weight 183
Pregnancy, Birth, and the Individual 185
Planned and Unplanned Pregnancy 185
Abortion 187
Pregnancy in Later Life 188
Fertility Issues 188
Parents’ Biological, Psychological, and Emotional Health 189
Birth Defects and Hazards to Fetal Development 191
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs 192
Rh Incompatibility 194
Environmental Toxins 194
Paternal Age 195
Maternal Health 195
Genetic Disorders 197
Pregnancy, Birth, and the Family and Immediate Environment 199
Access to Health Care 199
The Relationship between the Birth Mother and Her Care Providers 202
Control over the Childbirth Environment 202
Birthing Classes 203
C-Sections 204
C h APT er 7
Episiotomies 205
Doulas and Midwives 206
Breastfeeding 206
Adoption 207
Open Adoption 208
Interracial Adoption 208
Workplace Policies on Pregnancy and Birth 209
Pregnancy, Birth, and the Larger Social Environment 209
Effects of Poverty on Pregnancy and Birth 209
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 210
Poverty, Pregnancy, and the Hierarchy of Needs 211
Social Policies Related to Pregnancy and Birth 212
Medical Leave Laws 212
International Family Planning 213
Environmental Issues Related to Pregnancy and Birth 214
Conclusion 215
Main Points 216
Exercises 217
Development in Infancy and Early Childhood 219
Developmental Milestones in Infants and Young Children 220
Language Acquisition 220
Biological vs. Behavioral Perspectives on Language Development 222 A Balance of Biological and Behavioral Influences on Language 222
Emotional Development 223
Motor Development 225
Quick guide 9: major milestones in gross motor development 226
The Individual in Infancy and Early Childhood 227
Attachment 227
Secure Attachment: The Debates 228
Insecure Attachments: The Causes 229
Gender Identity 230
Sex Characteristics and Gender Identity 231
Transgender Children 232
Gender Reassignment and Affirmation 233
C h APT er 8
Temperament 233
Autism 235
Effects of Low Socioeconomic Status on Individual Development 238
The Family and Immediate Environment in Infancy and Early Childhood 239
Parenting 240
Grandparenting 241
Siblings 243
Personality Traits and Birth Order 244
Family Size and Access to Resources 244
Childcare 245
Child Abuse and Neglect 247
Quick guide 10: common signs of child maltreatment 247
The Larger Social Environment in Infancy and Early Childhood 249
Child Protection 250
Permanency Planning: Foster Care, Adoption, and Family Support 251
Health Care 252
Early Childhood Education 253
Head Start 253
An Ecological Perspective on Education Policy 254
Conclusion 255
Main Points 255
Exercises 256
Development in Middle Childhood 259
Developmental Milestones in Older Children 259
Quick guide 11: developmental milestones in middle childhood 261
The Individual in Middle Childhood 262
Intelligence and Intelligence Testing 262
Theories of Diverse Intelligences 263
Standardized Intelligence Tests 264
Learning Disabilities 266
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 268
Anxiety Disorders 269
The Family and Immediate Environment in Middle Childhood 270
Peer Groups in Middle Childhood 271
Play 272
Parental Discipline 274
Discipline in Middle Childhood 274
Physical Punishment 275
Separation and Divorce 277
Alternative Family Forms 278
Stepfamilies and Blended Families 278
Single Parent and Cohabiting Households 279
Gay and Lesbian Parents 280
The Larger Social Environment in Middle Childhood 281
Children and Media 282
Children in the Educational Context 284
Special Education 285
School Choice and Vouchers 286
Conclusion 287
Main Points 288
Exercises 289
C h APT er 9 Development in Adolescence 291
Developmental Milestones in the Teen Years 292
Quick guide 12: developmental milestones in adolescence 292
Physical Development 292
Cognitive, Personality, and Emotional Development 294
Moral Development 296
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development 297
Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development 297
The Individual in Adolescence 299
Learning 299
Self-Esteem 300
Eating Disorders 301
Quick guide 13: diagnostic criteria for anorexia and bulimia nervosa 302
Anorexia Nervosa 303
Bulimia Nervosa 304
Early and Late Maturation 306
Sexual Identity and Sexuality 306
Sexual Activity in Adolescence 307
Sexual Development in Heterosexual Teens 308
Sexual Development in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Teens 309
STIs, HIV, and AIDS 312
Substance Use 315
Factors Associated with Substance Use 317
Research with Teens: An Ethical Dilemma 318
Suicide 319
Quick guide 14: sad persons suicide assessment 321
The Family and Immediate Environment in Adolescence 321
Peer Groups in Adolescence 321
Teen Pregnancy 322
The Larger Social Environment in Adolescence 324
Sex Education 324
The Debate over Sex Education 324
A Critique of Sex Education 325
Heterosexism, Homophobia, and Queermisia 327
Runaway and Homeless Teens 329
Deviance, Crime, and Violence 330
Conclusion 331
Main Points 332
Exercises 333
C h APT er 10 Development in Early Adulthood 335
Developmental Milestones in Young Adults 335
Quick guide 15: developmental milestones in early adulthood 336
The Individual in Early Adulthood 337
Emerging Adulthood 337
Mental Illness 338
Schizophrenia 338
C h APT er 11
Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 340
Mental Illness and Social Work Strategies 343
Disability 345
Spirituality 347
Fowler’s Theory of Faith Development 349
Spirituality in Social Work Practice 351
The Family and Immediate Environment in Early Adulthood 351
Relationships and Living Arrangements 352
Intimate Partner Violence 353
Theories of Intimate Partner Violence 354
Intimate Partner Violence and Social Work Practice 356
The Larger Social Environment in Early Adulthood 356
Higher Education 356
Sexism 358
The Wage Gap 358
Causes of the Wage Gap 360
Theories of Sexism 361
Sexism and Social Work 362
Sexual Harassment 363
Sexual Harassment and Popular Culture 363
Theories of Sexual Harassment 364
Strategies to Prevent Sexual Harassment 364
Civil Rights Laws and Affirmative Action 365
The Affirmative Action Debate 366
Theoretical Bases of Affirmative Action 367
Affirmative Action and Social Work 368
Conclusion 368
Main Points 369
Exercises 370
Development in Middle Adulthood 373
Developmental Milestones in Middle Age 373
Quick guide 16: developmental milestones in middle adulthood 374
Physical Developments in Middle Adulthood 374
Cognitive Developments in Middle Adulthood 375
Levinson’s Theory of Adult Development 376
Motivational Interviewing 378
The Individual in Middle Adulthood 379
Menopause 379
Hormone Replacement Therapy 380
The Psychological Dimension of Menopause 380
The Cultural Dimension of Menopause 381
The Male Climacteric 382
Midlife Crisis 383
Psychological Adjustment in Midlife 383
Theories and Perspectives on Midlife Crisis 384
Chronic Illness and Disease 385
Common Diseases Emerging in Middle Age 386
Health Disparities 387
The Family and Immediate Environment in Middle Adulthood 388
Love and Marriage in Middle Age 389
Sternberg’s Theory of Love 389
Perils of Romantic Love 391
Marital Satisfaction 391
Divorce 392
Remarriage 393
Family Patterns in Middle Age 393
Social Work with Couples and Families 395
Retirement 396
Retirement Patterns 397
Preparation for Retirement 398
Theoretical Perspectives on Retirement 398
The Larger Social Environment in Middle Adulthood 399
Ageism 399
Ageism in the Workplace 400
Ageism in Popular Culture 401
Immigration 402
Conclusion 403
Main Points 404
Exercises 405
C
h APT er 12
Development in Late Adulthood 407
Developmental Milestones in Older Adults 408
Physical Changes in Late Adulthood 409
Osteoporosis 409
Quick guide 17: developmental milestones in later adulthood 409
Loss of Muscle Mass 410
Arthritis 411
Hearing-Related Problems 411
Vision-Related Problems 412
Slower Reaction Time and Decreased Coordination 413
Changes in Appearance 413
Social Workers and the Physical Changes of Late Adulthood 414
Cognitive and Psychological Changes in Late Adulthood 415
Dementia 415
Cognitive Changes 417
Personality and Aging 418
Depression and Suicide 419
Social Workers and the Psychological Changes of Late Adulthood 420
The Individual in Late Adulthood 421
Psychological Theories of Aging 421
Disengagement Theory 421
Activity Theory 422
Continuity Theory 422
Peck’s Theory of Ego Integrity 423
Aging Well 424
Spirituality and Aging 425
Sexuality in Late Adulthood 426
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Older Adults 426
Grief and Loss 427
Normal Grief and Complicated Grief 428
Other Theories of Grief 430
Kübler-Ross’ Theory of Death and Dying 430
Terror Management Theory 432
Life Review and Narrative Therapies 433
Social Work with the Grieving and Dying 433
The Family and Immediate Environment in Late Adulthood 434
C h APT er 13
Grandparenting 435
Older Adults and their Caregivers 436
Effects of Caregiving on Caregivers 437
Caregiving and Social Work 438
Elder Abuse and Neglect 439
The Larger Social Environment in Late Adulthood 440
Long-Term and Alternative Care 440
Managed Care and LTC Insurance 442
Housing Options 442
Poverty and Older Adults 444
Policies Linked to Services for Older Adults 445
Social Security 445
Older Americans Act 445
Medicare 448
Medicaid 449
End-of-Life Considerations 450
Assisted Suicide 450
Advance Directives and Living Wills 451
Palliative Care and Hospices 451
Conclusion 452
Main Points 452
Exercises 453
Looking Forward: Challenges and Opportunities for the Social Work Profession 455
Environmental Issues and Sustainability 455
Social and Environmental Sustainability 456
Climate Change and the Larger System 456
Social Work’s Role in Climate Change 457
Economic Disparities 459
The Widening Gap between the Rich and the Poor 459
Outsourcing, Underemployment, and Livable Wages 460
Social Work and Responses to the Wealth Gap 461
Health Disparities 462
Health Issues in Our Environment 462
Access to Health Care 463
Social Work’s Role in Reducing Health Disparities 464
Demographic Shifts 465
Global Aging 465
Changing Racial and Ethnic Demographics 466
Racism and Prejudice 466
Social Work and Demographic Shifts 467
Technology and Technological Advances 468
Aging, Caregiving, and Aging in Place 469
Physical and Mental Health and Social Well-Being 470
Social Work and Technological Advances 471
Global Tension and Violence 472
Social Work and Global Conflict 473
Shifting Cultural Views on Social Issues 473
Social Work’s Role in Cultural Change 474
The Future of the Social Work Profession 474
Conclusion 476
Main Points 477
Exercises 478
References R–1
Glossary/Index I–1
MAjor ChAnges To The fifTh eDiTion
Like the last four editions of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, this latest edition provides students with an overview of the issues related to human behavior and the social environment that are important to understand for practice. This information has been updated to offer students current and relevant information on important topics in social work practice and expanded to help students understand the complexity of the issues they will face in the field, including how poverty, diversity, and strengths affect human development and behavior.
Additional important and relevant issues, theories, and treatment modalities have been added and incorporated into the chapters to help students understand how foundational theoretical and empirical knowledge have shaped contemporary knowledge in, and approaches to, social work and to give students up-to-date information on work being done in the field. For example, additional research and content have been added to explore how issues at all stages of life affect different populations, and new evidence-based research on many issues has been added throughout. Several new theories and perspectives have been added throughout the book including intersectionality theory and perspectives on cultural competence and humility. Content has been updated to reflect changes in many areas including media use; eating disorders; substance use; use of language and power; and updated information on trauma, trauma-informed, and health-centered approaches. Further, the end-of-chapter exercises have been updated to include assignments not tied to online case studies.
For the new editions of all five books in the New Directions in Social Work series, each addressing a foundational course in the social work curriculum, the publisher offers a uniquely distinctive teaching strategy that revolves around the print book but offers much more than the traditional text experience. The series website www.routledgesw.com leads to custom websites coordinated with each text and offering a variety of features to support instructors as you integrate the many facets of an education in social work.
At www.routledgesw.com/hbse, you will find a wealth of resources to help you create a dynamic, experiential introduction to social work for your students. The website houses companion readings linked to key concepts in each chapter, along with questions to encourage further thought and discussion; six interactive fictional
cases with accompanying exercises that bring to life the concepts covered in the book, readings, and classroom discussions; a bank of exam questions (both objective and open-ended) and PowerPoint presentations; annotated links to a treasure trove of articles, videos, and Internet sites; and an online forum inviting all instructors using texts in the series to share ideas to improve teaching and learning.
The fifth edition contains a set of Quick Guides, which are meant to be useful for students engaged in field work. They appear in the book as well as at the website for the book. They can be printed out and carried along for reference.
You may find most useful a set of sample syllabi showing how Human Behavior in the Social Environment, fifth edition, can be used in a variety of course structures. A master syllabus demonstrates how the text and website used together through the course satisfy the 2015 CSWE EPAS.
The interactive cases offer students rich and detailed examples of complex situations they will face in their work as well as additional opportunities to apply theory and concepts to real-world situations. Other cases provide students opportunities to apply concepts to mezzo- and macro-level situations and to better understand how individual issues are interconnected to and impacted by larger, more macro issues.
The organization and content of this book and companion website are such that students at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels of their social work education can utilize the knowledge gained from studying the material; specifically, this knowledge can be applied to both generalist and specialized practice. The fifth edition, along with the new supplemental chapters, can be used throughout a two-semester sequence as well as a one-semester course, and the integrated supplements and resources on the Web make the text especially amenable for online distance-learning and hybrid courses.
For example, a supplemental online chapter on the autism spectrum can be used to help students learn more about the disorder, spark in-depth discussions about the causes and treatments for autism, and help students understand the ways in which it might impact their practice. Readings (and accompanying questions) have been specifically added to offer more breadth and depth to selected topics, giving students and instructors options about which topics to explore more thoroughly and to provide opportunities to explore the diversity and complexity that are associated with the social issues with which social workers grapple. These readings can also be used to help students with more self-directed learning in areas about which they are particularly interested and may want to explore further beyond the scope of the material that is normally covered in the course.
orgAnizATion of The Book
The chapters of this book are arranged first to give students an overview of the content, next to offer brief discussions of theoretical perspectives on the human condition, and then to provide information on basic facets of human development.
Chapters 1 through 5 expose students to theoretical thinking and why it is important in social work as well as how it can help them to organize their thinking about clients and the issues they present in practice. Chapters 6 through 12 introduce students to important developmental, social, and cultural issues related to specific phases of life that are often relevant to practice. These chapters present developmental information extending from before conception into old age and encourage students to consider how development on biological, psychological, social, and cultural levels can impact individuals, families, communities, and social institutions. Exploring the various dynamic interactions that occur between the individual and the environment will help students to understand these interactions from theoretical and practice perspectives. Additionally, Chapters 6 through 12 offer discussions on relevant theoretical models and treatment modalities, grounded in theoretical perspectives introduced in Chapters 1 through 5, which are often used to better understand and work with specific issues and tasks faced by people in different developmental timeframes. Chapter 13 explores broad, contemporary and future issues that will pose challenges and opportunities for social workers and their clients, such as climate change, demographic shifts, and health and economic disparities.
The following paragraphs briefly introduce each of the chapters included in this book, with emphasis on the updated content.
Chapter 1
Human Behavior and the Social Work Profession offers a detailed discussion about why thinking about human behavior within the social environment is so important to social work education and to the profession. It will give students a sense of why they were asked to learn all those theories that were presented to them in other classes as well as all the other information that did not seem relevant to their major. The goal of the first chapter is to answer for students the questions, how does all this fit together, and why is it relevant to my work with clients? It also helps students understand how this knowledge base fits with CSWE’s education policies. Finally, the first chapter will set the context for the rest of the book and help students to think about how to approach the information.
The next four chapters give students an overview of the theoretical concepts often used by social workers to help them make sense of the interactions between human behavior and the social environment.
Chapter 2
Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: The Person in the Environment presents broadly based, comprehensive theoretical models—for example, the biopsychosocial approach, systems theory, and the strengths perspective—that tend to be used frequently in generalist practice. These theories, although often borrowed from other disciplines, lend themselves well to social work because they
address constructs of problem conceptualization and intervention that are unique to the profession. Chapter 2 is designed to give students a base on which to incorporate more specific theories discussed in the following chapters.
Chapter 3
Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Biopsychosocial Dimensions provides an overview of some specific theories that come out of psychology and related fields. These theories help students to think about how and why we become the people we are. Students will encounter theories related to physical, emotional, and cognitive development as well as ways to think about how we learn in both individual and social contexts. Students will also learn how the brain, genetics, neurobiological processes, and the endocrine systems shape and affect behavior.
Chapter 4
Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Sociocultural Dimensions takes a look at how societies function and how individuals are affected by the order and purpose of various social institutions. Each of the theories discussed in this chapter has a distinctive “slant” on the way in which it attempts to explain society, which in turn affects the way the social worker explains personal problems. Learning about the theories covered in Chapter 4 will give students an opportunity to think about the larger society and the ways in which its structure affects the work done in the profession. Additional material on theories and related issues was added to this chapter to expand students’ thinking in these realms.
Chapter 5
Lenses for Conceptualizing Problems and Interventions: Social Change Dimensions continues the discussion on the broader context of human lives and problems. It explores theories that address the social context in which we live and ways in which we can effect change to better our lives. Chapter 5 explores the problems of social injustice that affect people individually but that are often rooted in larger social contexts. These theories help students to think about how personal issues are often intertwined with social and political issues, and why addressing them often requires social action to change lives on the individual level.
The remaining chapters address particular stages in life.
Chapter 6
Pre-Pregnancy and Prenatal Issues offers information on fetal development and some of the issues that clients may present with during a pregnancy and after birth.
For example, students explore topics of low birth weight, planned and unplanned pregnancies, and hazards to fetal development. Students also explore familial and environmental issues such as access to health care, workplace policies, and international issues affecting family planning, with a focus on some of the ethical dilemmas posed by prenatal testing and other related health care situations. Students will find updated research on various topics and a discussion on abortion.
Chapter 7
Development in Infancy and Early Childhood exposes students to physical, psychological, and emotional developmental issues in early childhood and some of the issues that can affect clients and their families during this stage of development. It discusses theoretical perspectives on attachment that are pertinent to this stage of life as well as recent research in areas such as autism, parenting, child abuse, childcare, and policies affecting children and families.
Chapter 8
Development in Middle Childhood exposes students to developmental processes of children in this age range and presents pertinent information on related individual, familial, and social issues. Debates and updated information on areas such as intelligence and intelligence testing, learning disabilities, parental discipline, gay and lesbian parenting, divorce and remarriage, and the effects of media are included. Students are also introduced to theory on play in this chapter.
Chapter 9
Development in Adolescence covers developmental considerations of this life stage and the various issues that clients are likely to deal with at this age. Issues such as eating disorders, self-esteem, pregnancy, sexual identity development, substance abuse, and suicide are discussed, as are issues around sex education, violence, and heterosexism and homophobia. Students are introduced to theories on moral and sexual identity development, which are likely to be pertinent to their work with clients at this age.
Chapter 10
Development in Early Adulthood covers the continued physical and cognitive development into adulthood and issues that people at this life stage are likely to face, such as mental illness, disability, and problems with spirituality. Theory around spirituality development and an expanded discussion on spirituality are included in this chapter. Domestic violence, sexism, sexual harassment, and related social policies are also discussed.
Chapter 11
Development in Middle Adulthood explores continued development as we age and explores in depth some of the physical and cognitive changes that can occur, as well as issues these changes may raise. Topics such as immigration, menopause and the male climacteric, health care and chronic illness, and marriage and love are explored. A section on health disparities highlights problems that some minority groups face with regard to chronic illness. Retirement and theories surrounding retirement are discussed, as are issues around ageism.
Chapter 12
Development in Late Adulthood discusses developmental issues in older age and continued physical and cognitive changes that take place as we age. In this chapter, students are exposed to various theories of aging and how they can be used to conceptualize work with older clients. Discussions on spirituality, depression, sexuality, grief and loss, and issues for gay and lesbian elders are included, as are topics surrounding grandparenting, caregiving, living situations, end-of-life care, and social policy issues impacting older adults.
Chapter 13
Looking Forward: Challenges and Opportunities for the Social Work Profession explores emerging trends and issues that are affecting or will affect social workers and their clients. This chapter helps students think about current and further challenges that will change the shape of problems clients face and the ways in which the profession approaches these problems. The chapter also explores the opportunities that will be created in the wake of these trends. Issues that are discussed in this chapter include climate change, growing health and economic disparities, demographic shifts, technological advances, global violence, and shifting cultural views on social issues.
inTerACTive CAses
The website www.routledgesw.com/cases presents six unique, in-depth, interactive, fictional cases with dynamic characters and real-life situations that students can easily access from any computer. They provide a “learning by doing” format unavailable with any other text. Your students will have an advantage unlike any other they will experience in their social work training. Each of the interactive cases uses text, graphics, and video to help students learn about engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation and termination at multiple levels of social work practice. The “My Notebook” feature allows students to take and save notes, type in written responses to tasks, and share their work with classmates and
instructors by email. These interactive cases allow you to integrate the readings and classroom discussions:
The Sanchez Family: Systems, Strengths, and Stressors: The ten individuals in this extended Latino family have numerous strengths but are faced with a variety of challenges. Students will have the opportunity to experience the phases of the social work intervention, grapple with ethical dilemmas, and identify strategies for addressing issues of diversity.
Riverton: A Community Conundrum: Riverton is a small Midwest city in which the social worker lives and works. The social worker identifies an issue that presents her community with a challenge. Students and instructors can work together to develop strategies for engaging, assessing, and intervening with the citizens of the social worker’s neighborhood.
Carla Washburn: Loss, Aging, and Social Support: Students will get to know Carla Washburn, an older African-American woman who finds herself living alone after the loss of her grandson and in considerable pain from a recent accident. In this case, less complex than that of the Sanchez family, students will apply their growing knowledge of gerontology and exercise the skills of culturally competent practice.
RAINN: Rape Abuse and Incest National Network: The RAINN Online Hotline links callers to local Rape Crisis Centers and hospitals, as well as other services. In addition, rape crisis telephone hotlines have played an important role in extending services to those in communities in which services are not available. Students will learn how and why this national hotline was developed; they will evaluate both qualitative and quantitative data to assess how the program can better achieve its goals.
Hudson City: An Urban Community Affected by Disaster: Hudson City has just been devastated by Hurricane Diane, a category four hurricane with wind speeds of 140 miles per hour. Students will take up the role of a social worker who also resides in the community, who has been tasked with finding workable solutions to a variety of problems with diverse clients. Students will learn about disaster response and how to focus on many clients at once.
Brickville: Families and Communities Consider Transitions: Brickville is a low-income community faced with a development proposal that would dramatically change the community. Students will take the role of a social worker who lives in the community and works for a community development corporation. Students will learn about community development and approaches that can be used to empower community members.
This book takes full advantage of the interactive element as a unique learning opportunity by including exercises that require students to go to the Web and use the cases. To maximize the learning experience, you may want to start the course by asking your students to explore each case by activating each button. The more the students are familiar with the presentation of information and the locations of the individual case files, the Case Study Tools, and the questions and tasks contained within each phase of the case, the better they will be able to integrate the text with the online practice component.
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When presented as separate issues, all of the aforementioned developmental topics can seem overwhelming to students, particularly when they realize they have to keep at hand all their knowledge when working with clients. However, all of these topics, as well as other topics that are discussed, are set in a framework that will help students to think about the types of problems their clients might be likely to face at different phases in life. Students will also learn that organizing their knowledge about these areas into a theoretical context that “makes sense” to them will help them to manage the seemingly endless stream of information at their disposal. Ultimately, then, students will become more and more proficient at applying concepts to client problems. Meanwhile, students can enjoy the process of learning about them.
Being an effective social worker means being able to understand the complexities of human behavior, the societies and cultures in which we live, and the interplay between them. Being an effective social worker also means having a solid grounding in various disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, and human biology. It means possessing a well-rounded education and an ability to apply this knowledge to the myriad client problems and situations that students will face in the profession. This edition is intended to help students understand this complexity in the field and to help them gain the knowledge and critical thinking skills they will need to practice social work.
