Adolescence is often one of the most difficult stages individuals experience in their lives. Think back to your own teenage years and consider some of the questionable choices you made at that time, or reflect upon some of your responses to situations that may now seem emotionally and hormonally driven. Given the nature of the developmental changes that occur during adolescence, it can be quite challenging for a clinician to assess what a client is actually experiencing. During the adolescent stage, teens will often exhibit behaviors that seem unhealthy, dangerous, and sometimes even pathological. A closer look at the current developmental stage of the client and the familial history may lead to a very different conclusion. Therefore, social workers need to be very thorough when assessing adolescents and take into consideration multiple factors prior to planning and intervening.
Learning Objectives
Students will: not a assignment
· Apply attachment theory to a case study
· Analyze attachment styles in adolescents
· Analyze developmental stages in adolescents
· Apply developmental theory to a case study
Learning Resources
Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Gutiérrez, L., Oh, H. J., & Gillmore, M. R. (2000). Toward an understanding of (em)power(ment) for HIV/AIDS prevention with adolescent women. Sex Roles, 42(7–8), 581–611.
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.
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.
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Bradley family: Episode 2 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu