Childhood trauma can significantly impact an individual child’s emotional and mental well-being. The social worker applied the ecological model to comprehend the situation in Brandon’s case from a person-in-environment approach which helps explore Brandon’e experiences with sexual abuse, his family dynamics, and the more significant societal and cultural factors that shaped his behaviors. The social worker utilized active listening and effective communication to unravel Brandon’s strengths, which helped develop an operational treatment plan to help him cope with the trauma.
An ecological model is significant to comprehending Brandon’s condition by focusing on how Brandon interacted with his environment. According to CDC (2022), the ecological model is an interaction between individuals, then relationships, followed by community, and lastly, societal factors. The social worker would assess specific environments, including family, community, individual, and societal, to identify the factors that informed the development of Brandon’s behavior. The social worker would then examine Brandon’s experiences, including his history of sexual abuse and his mother’s response to the exposure, the family interaction and dynamics, and his current surroundings and all the potential stressors and risks in his community.
The ecological model can help grasp the interrelationships (CDC, 2022). On the micro-level, the model looks at how Brandon interacts with his immediate environment. For example, On a micro level, the social worker used the trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy approach to ensure Brandon broadened his emotional regulation and coping skills. Dworak-Peck (2018) argues that the mezzo level encompasses interaction with the community, including his extended family, teachers, and therapists. For example, On a mezzo level, the social worker provided Brandon’s mother with psychoeducation and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help her recognize and comprehend her sentiment about Brandon’s abuse and to acquire skills to accommodate him. On the macro level, the model looks at how an individual interacts with the larger social structure, including laws and regulations and the stigma and stereotypes associated with survivors of sexual abuse (Master of Social Work, 2022). On a macro level, Brandon’s family was provided with resources and referrals to community-based services and support that would benefit Brandon’s recovery.
The social worker may have overlooked essential strengths when evaluating Brandon and his mother. The two individuals are resourceful in finding solutions to their problems. Resourcefulness is a strength that shows that individuals are willing to take the initiative (National Association of Social Workers, 2022). The other strength is resilience, as Brandon and the mother can pick up the pieces of their lives again and move on. They choose to remain optimistic amid adversity. The other strength the social worker may have yet to notice while assessing Brandon’s family situation is the mother’s support towards Brandon.
In Brandon’s case, the social worker employed ethical and value-based approaches to ensure that Brandon’s treatment plan met his specific needs and that he received a secure and supportive environment. The social worker respected Brandon’s right to self-determination and gave him the information he needed to make informed decisions. The social worker should establish a trusting bond with him and his mother through effective communication (Sweeney, 2021). The social worker had effective communication with the family. The social worker identified a variety of difficulties in Brandon’s case, such as depression, PTSD, physical aggression, and inappropriate sexual language. Without addressing his strengths, the abuse could have had a detrimental effect on his well-being. For example, his depression and PTSD could have worsened, causing more intense flashbacks and anxiety.
In conclusion, the social worker in Brandon’s case exemplified ethical and professional values to ensure he was in a safe and supportive environment. Through effective communication and active listening, the social worker created a tailored treatment plan that considered Brandon’s individual needs and reduced the long-term effects of the abuse.
References
CDC. (2022, January 18). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/about/social-ecologicalmodel.html
Dworak-Peck, S. (2018, February 27). Do You Know the Difference Between Micro-, Mezzo- and Macro-Level Social Work? USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. https://dworakpeck.usc.edu/news/do-you-know-the-difference-between-micro-mezzo-and-macro-level-social-work
Master of Social Work. (2022). Micro vs. mezzo vs. macro social work: Differences and similarities. Www.masterofsocialwork.com. https://www.masterofsocialwork.com/faqs/micro-mezzo-macro-social-work
National Association of Social Workers. (2022). Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients. NASW – National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English/Social-Workers-Ethical-Responsibilities-to-Clients
Sweeney, M. (2021, July 24). Social Work Values and Code of Ethics. TheBestSchools.org. https://thebestschools.org/degrees/social-work/ethics/
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