PSY FPX 7210 Assessment 1 Early Development Case Intervention Analysis

PSY FPX 7210 Assessment 1 Early Development Case Intervention Analysis

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Capella University

PSY FPX 7210 Lifespan Development

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Date

Abstract

This paper presents a simulated case study focusing on the attachment style between a parent and child. Jayden, a two-year-old child, is being raised by his mother, Katrina. Jayden has recently been diagnosed with autism, and his mother suffered a traumatic brain injury 12 years ago. Katrina faces challenges as a parent due to her brain injury and the unique difficulties associated with Jayden’s autistic traits. Theories by Bowlby and Ainsworth on attachment are used to support the case study and assess that Jayden exhibits a disorganized/disoriented attachment to his mother. Environmental factors, including the impact of brain development and opioid use, are examined to support the case study and discuss potential outcomes for the parent-child relationship.

Attachment Styles

John Bowlby developed the attachment theory, which identifies four different attachment styles between a parent and their child. One style is known as secure attachment, where the child feels confident and comfortable with their caregiver and will return to them if they feel threatened or afraid (Siegel, 2012). Another style is anxious-avoidant insecure attachment, where the child does not trust the caregiver to meet their needs and acts indifferent to the mother’s presence, although they feel anxious internally. These children are not exploratory and tend to be emotionally distant (Siegel, 2012). The third attachment style, anxious-resistant insecure attachment, is characterized by the child expressing both anger and helplessness. The child feels unable to rely on their mother, who may be inconsistent in her attentiveness, sometimes being neglectful (Siegel, 2012). The final attachment style, known as disorganized/disoriented attachment, involves the child acting depressed, angry, passive, or disinterested.

The mother may exhibit varying extremes, being attentive, aggressive, scared, or even threatening (Siegel, 2012). Mary Main, a psychologist known for her research in attachment, has highlighted several key principles: (1) nearly all babies form attachments; (2) the earliest attachments are formed by 7 months; (3) attachment leads to specific, organized changes in a baby’s brain function and behavior; (4) social interaction with attachment figures derives from the selective attachments that the baby forms; and (5) attachments are formed to only a few persons (Siegel, 2012). The purpose of attachment is to provide protection from danger and aid in the neuronal growth of the developing brain. While children who form less secure attachments (disorganized and anxious attachments) are more prone to mental health issues and attachment problems later in life, secure attachments act as a protective factor rather than a guarantee of positive mental health (Siegel, 2012).

John Bowlby believed that actual family experiences were a much higher predictor of emotional disturbances in children and later in life (Bretherton, 1992). He thought there was a link between helping children and assisting their parents. He would encourage parents, mainly the mother, to talk and process their own childhood experiences and work through their issues. Bowlby felt that if a parent could be helped to recognize their feelings as a child and be accepted and validated, it could help them become more empathetic and tolerant of their children (Bretherton, 1992). In 1949, Bowlby published the first paper on family therapy, where the focus was on working with the parents to achieve clinical breakthroughs in the presence of their troubled children (Bretherton, 1992). Bowlby later noted that not only is the mother’s role crucial in a baby’s development, but society also has a responsibility for economic provisions. He stated, “If a community values its children, it must cherish their parents” (Bretherton, 1992, p. 762).

The Strange Situation

Mary Ainsworth, who worked under Bowlby, conducted research on the effects of personality development and separation from the mother in early childhood. She expanded on his ideas by developing the “strange situation” study in 1978 (Dewar, 2014). In this study, researchers placed the mother and baby in a room alone, allowing the baby to explore the room and play with toys. After some time, a stranger entered the room and spoke with the mother. The stranger then interacted with the baby, and the mother left the room. After a few minutes, the mother returned to provide reassurance and comfort to the baby. The mother and stranger then left the room together. The stranger returned and interacted with the baby alone before the mother finally re-entered the room and greeted the child.

Mary Ainsworth focused on the baby’s reaction to the stranger, how the baby responded to being left alone, and how the baby reacted to the mother’s return (Dewar, 2014). Through this study, Ainsworth solidified her research on the types of attachment: the securely attached child, the ambivalent child, and the disorganized-insecure child. One critique of the Strange Situation study is its focus on the mother-child bond, rather than the father or other significant individuals in the baby’s life (Dewar, 2014). This bias may stem from cultural norms that view mothers as the primary caregivers. Additionally, differences in the results of the Strange Situation study may be due to how babies from various cultures and ethnic groups perceive strangers, as some cultures rarely separate babies from their mothers, contrasting with the Western emphasis on independence and autonomy.

Case Study Results

In Jayden’s case, several notable aspects relate to Bowlby’s and Ainsworth’s research on attachment. Jayden exhibits disorganized/disoriented attachment to his mother. He becomes upset when she leaves or when he has to leave her, sometimes crying and hitting his head. Once distracted, he calms down and remains agreeable in her absence. However, when his mother returns, he does not acknowledge her unless she addresses him or calls to him. Katrina acknowledges that she struggles to “keep up” with Jayden due to her physical limitations and sometimes becomes frustrated. She reports that she does not spank him but does yell and cry. Katrina’s brain injury has led to unstable moods, where she may be happy one moment and frustrated or crying the next.

She also has memory issues, causing her to become sidetracked and forget what she is doing. Jayden, being non-verbal, cannot remind her, resulting in delays in receiving food or drink, although she eventually remembers. There are times when Katrina seems to forget Jayden is present until she sees him or he does something he should not be doing. Katrina’s mood instability and forgetfulness appear to have caused Jayden to feel insecure, angry, and passive. He worries when he leaves her that he may not see her again, but when he does, he appears withdrawn and quiet rather than excited. Another important aspect of this case is that Jayden’s autism contributes to his frequent disinterest and may affect his interaction with his surroundings.

Bowlby’s attention to the mother’s upbringing and the need for community support is also noteworthy. Katrina’s upbringing was very strict, with her parents being authoritative, physically, and verbally abusive. This background may contribute to her disinterested/disorganized view of Jayden, alongside the effects of her brain injury. It would be beneficial for her to analyze her upbringing to gain insight into her parents’ issues and the positive and negative aspects of her experiences. This reflection could help Katrina improve her parenting style and strengthen her bond with her son.

PSY FPX 7210 Assessment 1 Early Development Case Intervention Analysis

Society’s support and involvement would be very helpful in Katrina’s situation. With limited support and financial struggles, community assistance is crucial to her success. Katrina needs physical help managing her son and would benefit from aide services for cleaning and supervising Jayden. She is a candidate for the Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver program in New York State, which could provide assistance with organizational skills, problem-solving, and financial support. These resources would help improve Katrina’s life and, consequently, her son’s life. Jayden also receives assistance through the OPWDD program due to his developmental delays, which provides significant support for Katrina, offering items Jayden needs and financial assistance at times.

According to a Colorado State University (1997) article, teratogens can impact the developing brain and mind. By the eighth week of development, the brain structure begins to form. The right side starts forming the glial (the brain’s “glue”), while the left side, the future information processor, begins developing neurons. The glial sends out fibers to connect with neurons, but environmental factors can disrupt this process. For instance, children conceived during the Hiroshima bombing or with fetal alcohol syndrome experienced developmental delays due to disruptions in brain development (CSU, 1997). Radiation exposure prevented glial fibers from connecting with neurons, while fetal alcohol syndrome caused glial fibers to grow past neurons, leading to frontal lobe disruption and perception problems (CSU, 1997). These examples illustrate how environmental factors can interfere with critical brain development stages.

PSY FPX 7210 Assessment 1 Early Development Case Intervention Analysis

When Katrina was pregnant with Jayden, she took Oxycodone for pain management due to back injuries from her car accident 12 years ago. Katrina did not know she was pregnant until about three months into her pregnancy (near the end of the first trimester). Upon learning of her pregnancy, she consulted her doctor about discontinuing her medication to avoid affecting the baby. However, her doctor expressed concern that stopping the medication abruptly could lead to severe withdrawal, potentially causing a miscarriage. Research indicates a link between opioid use during pregnancy and certain birth defects, including heart defects, spina bifida, and cognitive issues (Broussard et al., 2011). While there is limited information on the effects of opioid use during pregnancy, the study suggests a potential association, warranting caution when prescribing painkillers to pregnant women (Broussard et al., 2011).

Jayden was diagnosed with autism at nearly two years old after his mother noticed changes in him. A study by Durkin et al. (2008) found that the odds of developing autism increase if the mother is over 35. Katrina was 31 when she had Jayden, so her age likely did not contribute to his autism. However, her opioid use and mental health history may have played a role. Katrina believes the opioid use during pregnancy, her traumatic brain injury, and her history of mental illness are significant factors in her son’s condition. This belief highlights the importance of healthcare providers carefully considering the risks and benefits of medications during pregnancy.

PSY FPX 7210 Assessment 1 Early Development Case Intervention Analysis

Discussion

Jayden’s case presents a unique set of challenges due to the combination of his autism, his mother’s traumatic brain injury, and their overall life circumstances. His disorganized/disoriented attachment style likely stems from his mother’s unpredictable behavior and emotional instability. This attachment style, combined with his autism, may lead to difficulties in forming relationships and managing emotions as he grows older. Intervention and support for both Jayden and Katrina are essential to help them navigate these challenges and improve their relationship. Community resources, such as the Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver program and OPWDD, can provide crucial assistance to ensure they receive the help they need. Additionally, further research into the effects of opioid use during pregnancy and the impact of traumatic brain injuries on parenting is necessary to better understand and support families in similar situations.