Introduction
Ben Liu, a seven-year-old kid with behavioral issues, is the focus of this paper’s biopsychosocial examination in the context of his family and culture. A differential diagnosis for Ben’s symptoms will be made using evidence-based literature and DSM-5-TR criteria. Culturally responsive engagement tactics will also be considered to meet Ben’s diverse requirements and improve treatment. Ben Liu’s behavioral issues stem from a complicated mix of family, societal, and cultural variables. Ben has shown melancholy, aggressiveness, and trouble coping with family changes after his parents’ divorce and his father’s remarriage. His tension with his stepmother and father has caused him to feel neglected and resentful. Ben also struggles at school and with peers, showing psychological issues. This paper has three aims. The first step is to appraise Ben’s symptoms and DSM-5-TR benchmarks for a disparity analysis. Second, culturally responsive engagement tactics will be used to meet Ben’s cultural demands and improve his therapy. The article will conclude with evidence-based mental health theories to guide intervention planning in Ben’s biopsychosocial setting.
Differential Diagnosis
A complete biopsychosocial examination of Ben Liu must analyze probable diagnoses based on his symptoms and DSM-5-TR criteria. Ben has depression, anger, trouble responding to family changes, academic deterioration, social disengagement, and nightmares. These symptoms imply psychological discomfort and need a careful differential diagnosis. Ben may have an adjustment disorder with mixed emotions and conduct. Emotional and behavioral symptoms occur within three months after a stressor’s commencement and continue no longer than six months after its end (McKinnon et al., 2019). Ben’s symptoms followed his parents’ divorce and his father’s remarriage, indicating a response to significant life events. Major depressive disorder is another possibility. Ben’s continuous sorrow, loneliness, poor self-esteem, and lack of interest in formerly loved activities meet DSM-5-TR MDD criteria. His melancholy images and obsession with life and death suggest depression, requiring further evaluation.
Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Emotions and Conduct is Ben’s primary diagnosis. The chronological link between Ben’s symptoms and his parents’ divorce and remarriage supports this diagnosis. Ben’s emotional dysregulation, behavioral issues, and academic deterioration meet the DSM-5-TR criteria for this diagnosis. ODD and CD were explored but ruled out. Ben shows occasional resistance and aggressiveness, although these are reactive and situational rather than consistent, as needed for an ODD or CD diagnosis. Ben’s symptoms are best explained by adjustment disorder due to their temporal relationship with stress.
Diagnostic Tools
Diagnostic tests might be used to comprehend Ben Liu’s behavioral difficulties fully. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a mutual instrument for appraising emotional and behavioral syndromes in children and teenagers (Park & Blair, 2019). Parent-reported CBCL questions show Ben’s emotional and behavioral wellbeing, including internalizing and externalizing tendencies. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) helps further examine Ben’s behavioral and emotional issues. This quick screening test evaluates a child’s emotional state, conduct, hyperactivity, peer connection, and prosocial behavior. Clinicians may discover areas of concern and adjust therapies by assessing Ben’s scores across various dimensions. Additionally, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC) may be used to learn about Ben’s symptoms and their effects on his life. This systematic interview diagnoses many mental diseases and informs treatment planning.
Reliability, validity, and psychometric qualities make the diagnostic instruments suitable for Ben. These tests have been widely evaluated in varied groups and have shown sensitivity in diagnosing children’s emotional and behavioral issues. The CBCL, SDQ, and DISC are extensively utilized in clinical practice and research for standardized child psychopathology assessment. Evidence-based research supports the use of these measures in diagnosing behavioral problems and guiding treatment recommendations. The CBCL and SDQ may detect emotional and behavioral issues in children from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, according to research. Validated against gold-standard diagnostic criteria, the DISC matches clinician-rated diagnoses. According to research, standardized diagnostic techniques also increase diagnostic accuracy and reliability, improving treatment results. Using validated measures like the CBCL, SDQ, and DISC, doctors may comprehend Ben’s symptoms, influence diagnostic decision-making, and provide tailored therapies.
Self-awareness and cultural humility
Self-awareness and cultural humility are essential in social work, particularly with varied groups like Ben Liu and his family. Understanding and reflecting on one’s biases, power dynamics, advantages, and belief systems may significantly impact therapeutic encounters and views. Social workers must constantly analyze and address these internal variables to deliver effective and culturally sensitive treatment. Everyone has biases formed by society, stereotypes, and personal experiences. Biases may be explicit or implicit and emerge unintentionally in ideas, attitudes, and actions. Social workers must acknowledge and overcome their prejudices to guarantee equal treatment when dealing with clients like Ben from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Social workers may recognize and address their prejudices by self-reflecting and obtaining feedback from colleagues and supervisors, creating a more inclusive and culturally sensitive practice.
Power dynamics are also important in social work, especially with disadvantaged or oppressed groups. Social professionals have power and privilege over their clients, which may generate power imbalances in therapy (Gottlieb., 2021). Social professionals must critically assess their power and privilege and consider how they affect individuals like Ben. Active listening, empathy, client autonomy, and self-determination help manage prejudices and power differentials. Cultural humility in social work stresses maintaining an open and respectful attitude toward clients’ cultural origins, beliefs, and values. Social workers must identify their cultural biases and be open to learning from and working with various clients. Cultural humility: Social workers aim to establish a culturally responsive workplace where clients feel valued, respected, and empowered rather than presuming knowledge or imposing their cultural standards. Cultural humility requires deliberately seeking cultural viewpoints, self-reflection, and openness to customer and colleague input. Social workers should be curious and listen to each client’s culture and needs. Cultural evaluations, expert consultation, and cultural competence training and education may be needed.
Culturally Responsive Engagement Strategies
Social workers must use culturally sensitive engagement techniques when dealing with clients from varied backgrounds, including Ben Liu and his family. A comprehensive assessment of Ben’s diversity requirements is crucial before meeting his specific cultural needs. This entails comprehending and evaluating the potential effects on Ben’s mental health and wellbeing. His cultural background has numerous facets, such as his race, language, beliefs, values, and customs. Results from research in mental health settings have emphasized the significance of culturally appropriate therapies that consider clients’ experiences and cultural backgrounds. Research has shown, for instance, that people from collectivist cultures—such as many Asian cultures—may value family unity and dependency above individual liberty. Therefore, because Ben and other clients have similar cultural origins, therapies that focus on relationship dynamics and engage family members may be more successful.
It is essential to carefully customize engagement strategies to consider Ben’s unique cultural background and experiences. Ben is of Chinese descent; thus, it could be crucial to include cultural symbols, customs, and rituals in the healing process. This might include bringing aspects of Chinese culture into therapy sessions, including traditional Chinese music or art or using Chinese proverbs. Social workers must also be aware of language obstacles and ensure that communication is accessible and respectful of cultural differences. This may include using interpreters or translated materials to ensure that Ben and his family understand the therapy process and feel comfortable expressing themselves. In addition, social workers may use technology to augment cultural connections and stream correspondence with individuals such as Ben. Telehealth platforms, for instance, provide clients who would find it difficult to attend in-person sessions because of schedule conflicts or transportation challenges with easy access to treatment (Ungar & Theron, 2020). Furthermore, clients and their families may get culturally appropriate information and assistance via mobile apps and Internet resources.
Application of Mental Health Theory
When a mental health theory is applied to Ben Liu’s situation, attachment theory comes out as a pertinent and all-encompassing framework for comprehending his behavioral and emotional difficulties with his family dynamics and attachment experiences. According to John Bowlby’s creation of attachment theory, a person’s early relationships with their caregivers significantly impact how they develop emotionally and socially. This idea holds that children’s early interactions with primary caregivers help them create internal working models of themselves and other people, affecting their relationships and behaviors as they grow older.
Attachment theory may help to explain Ben’s difficulties in coming to terms with his parent’s divorce and subsequent remarriages. This significant life event upset his fundamental attachment relationships, especially those with his parents, leaving him struggling with feelings of uncertainty and sadness. Ben’s feelings of estrangement and emotional distress were exacerbated by his father’s second marriage and the arrival of a new sister, which further disrupted his family dynamics. Attachment theory makes it more straightforward to comprehend Ben’s emotional and behavioral responses to these changes in his home environment. His displays of grief, rage, and loneliness might be the result of an uneasy relationship with his caregivers, which is characterized by a deficiency of emotional support and response. Because of his father’s conviction that “boys aren’t supposed to cry,” Ben finds it difficult to express his feelings, which is a reflection of how he has internalized society’s norms and expectations around masculinity and emotional expression.
Moreover, secure attachments are critical for fostering resilience and emotional control, according to attachment theory. It is possible to interpret Ben’s behavioral issues, like tantrums and rule-breaking, as an effort to control his emotions and get comfort and attention from his caregivers. His unwillingness to interact with his stepsiblings and stepmother could be the result of an insecure attachment history that is causing him to fear rejection or abandonment. Attachment theory helps social workers identify Ben’s emotional and social development strategies. Ben requires stable caregiver relationships to address his emotional needs and improve his behavior (Cooke et al., 2019). This may be done with caring and responsive parenting. Parent-child interaction therapy or attachment-based therapies may improve Ben’s mental health and family relations. Attachment theory also suggests giving Ben a safe and caring atmosphere to establish stable bonds with his friends and grandma. Social workers can help Ben feel connected and at home by working with his family and school to create good social connections and emotional support networks.
Intervention Planning
Ben Liu and his family need a comprehensive intervention plan that tackles his emotional, behavioral, and relational issues within his family dynamics and culture. Family therapy with attachment-based therapies may help. Family therapy improves family connections, communication, and problem-solving. In contrast, attachment-based therapies promote stable ties between children and caregivers, which is essential for emotional regulation and wellbeing (et al., 2021). Family therapy gives Ben and his family a secure space to discuss their family dynamics, communication, and emotions. Family therapy emphasizes the interdependence of individual behaviors and emotions within the family system and offers healing and progress for all family members by including them all.
Family therapy may help Ben’s family articulate their ideas, feelings, and fears in a pleasant, non-judgmental setting. Family therapy helps family members understand their relationship patterns, recognize conflict and stress, and enhance communication and problem-solving skills via guided talks and activities. Family and attachment-based therapies promote stable relationships between Ben and his caregivers, especially his parents. The therapies attempt to build Ben’s emotional link with his parents, create security and trust, and increase his emotional control and coping abilities. Emotion coaching, introspective listening, and attunement may help parents better understand Ben’s emotional needs and offer a loving atmosphere. Attachment theory supports family therapy and attachment-based therapies for Ben’s family. According to attachment theory, secure relationships promote good emotional and social development, especially in infancy. Family therapy helps improve Ben’s connection with his parents and address his emotional and behavioral challenges.
Family therapy also fits the generalist intervention paradigm, which stresses comprehensive, strengths-based intervention planning. The generalist intervention paradigm emphasizes addressing several levels of impact when planning treatments since individual, family, and community systems are linked. Family therapy examines Ben’s family structure and relationship patterns to explain his emotional and behavioral issues, emphasizing the necessity for a holistic rehabilitation strategy. Family therapy promotes client empowerment and self-determination, like the generalist intervention paradigm. Family therapy encourages Ben and his family to actively heal and develop by integrating all family members and encouraging open communication and cooperation. Family therapy empowers Ben and his family to overcome obstacles and transform their family system by teaching coping skills, problem-solving, and communication.
Conclusion
To sum up, the intervention plan devised for Ben Liu emphasizes the significance of tackling his emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges within the framework of his cultural background and family dynamics. The strategy seeks to enhance Ben’s attachment ties, encourage emotional regulation, and enhance family dynamics and communication by using attachment theory and implementing family therapy emphasizing attachment-based therapies. It is essential to maintain a strengths-based approach throughout the intervention process, acknowledging Ben and his family members’ resilience and ability. The intervention plan aims to support positive transformation and improve their wellbeing, giving them the tools to engage actively in their recovery and development. The suggestions stressed the importance of addressing several spheres of influence, including individual, familial, and cultural aspects, and encouraging a cooperative and systematic approach to intervention planning.
References
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