Psychosocial Theory and Role Theory

Social work takes a holistic view to social problems, arguing that they are complex and multilayered, often contributed to by a number of individual, psychological, and social processes. Consequently, psychosocial theory is a theoretical lens that has been employed in social work to apply to an array of problems and populations. It also emphasizes respecting diversity factors and the strengths that individuals, families, and communities bring to the change process.

When attempting to understand the presenting problems of individuals, families, and/or organizations, it is also important to take into account the social roles they take on. As the name implies, role theoryas a theoretical lens focuses on the roles assumed by individuals. The theory maintains that people’s behaviors are influenced by their role and the inherent expectations, norms, and power that underlie those social roles.

This week, you will put on two new theoretical lenses—psychosocial theory and role theory. You will examine how problems are conceptualized through the world of psychological and social processes as well as social roles.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze unique psychosocial factors that are distinct to diverse population groups
• Apply psychosocial theory and role theory to a social work case study
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of psychosocial theory and role theory

Photo Credit: [Plume Creative]/[DigitalVision]/Getty Images

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

Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Chapter 26: The Psychosocial Framework of Social Work Practice (pp. 411–419)
Chapter 30: Role Theory and Concepts Applied to Personal and Social Change in Social Work (pp. 452–470)

Blakely, T. J., & Dziadosz, G. M. (2008). Case management and social role theory as partners in service delivery. Care Management Journals, 9(3), 106–112. doi:10.1891/1521-0987.9.3.106

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Dulin, A. M. (2007). A lesson on social role theory: an example of human behavior in the social environment theory. Advances in Social Work, 8(1), 104–112. Retrieved from https://advancesinsocialwork.iupui.edu/index.php/advancesinsocialwork/article/view/134

Document: Worksheet: Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case Study (Word document)

Walden Library. (n.d.-a). Library webinar archives: Webinars on library skills. Retrieved December 8, 2017, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/webinararchives/libraryskillswebinars

Browse this site to view webinars that introduce you to the Walden Library, including “Introduction to the Library” and “Search Strategies for New Students”

Walden Library. (n.d.-b). Searching and finding information in the library databases: Overview. Retrieved December 8, 2017, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/searchingfinding

Walden University: Academic Skills Center. (n.d.-a). Microsoft PowerPoint resources: Quick guide. Retrieved December 8, 2017, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ASC/software/PPT/quickguide

Use this resource to learn skills for creating your PowerPoint presentation.

Document: Theory Into Practice: Four Social Work Case Studies (PDF)

Document: Kaltura Personal Capture – QuickStart Guide (PDF)

Required Media

Laureate Education. (2017a). Theories knowledge check, part 1 [Interactive media]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Document: Theories Knowledge Check, Part 1 Transcript (PDF)

Optional Resources

Healy, K. (2016). After the biomedical technology revolution: Where to now for a bio-psycho-social approach to social work? British Journal of Social Work, 46(5), 1446–1462. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcv051

Discussion: Psychosocial Theory and Diverse Groups

There will be times when a social worker is presented with a case where they are not familiar with the surrounding psychosocial issues. Because social workers are on a continual journey in learning, it is important to read pertinent literature. This Discussion provides an opportunity to visit Walden Library and strengthen your skills in identifying and locating an empirical research article.

To prepare:

• Select one of these three groups: (1) an immigrant individual from a racial or ethnic minority group, (2) a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) individual, OR (3) an individual who is physically disabled.
• Review the Walden Library resources listed in the Learning Resources.
• Then conduct a library search for an empirical study focused on one of the groups above and the unique psychosocial factors or issues a social worker should be aware of when working with that group.

By Day 3

Post:

• Post the APA-style reference for the article you found in the library.
• Describe four specific psychosocial factors that should be taken into account in order to understand the psychosocial context when working with the group you selected. (Two of these factors should be psychologically related and two of these factors should be socially related).
• Identify and explain a psychosocial intervention that addresses one of the four specific psychosocial factors you described above.
• Identify 1 to 2 outcomes you might measure if you were to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
• Evaluate one advantage of using a psychosocial framework in social work practice with the group you chose.

By Day 5

Respond to two colleagues:

• Evaluate the disadvantages of using a psychosocial framework in social work practice with the group your colleague chose.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:
Week 4 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 5

To participate in this Discussion:
Week 4 Discussion

Assignment: Application of Role Theory to a Case Study

This week, you will use role theory to apply to your chosen case study. In other words, your theoretical orientation—or lens—is role theory as you analyze the case study.

Use the same case study that you chose in Week 2. (Remember, you will be using this same case study throughout the entire course). Use the “Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case Study” worksheet to help you dissect the theory. You do not need to submit this handout. It is a tool for you to use to dissect the theory, and then you can employ the information in the table to complete your assignment.

To prepare:

• Review and focus on the same case study that you used in Week 2.
• Review the websites and guides for developing PowerPoint skills found in the Learning Resources.
• Record presentation using PersonalSpace.

By Day 7

Submit a narrated PowerPoint presentation using Kaltura Media that includes 11 to 12 slides.

• Each slide should be written using bullet points, meaning no long paragraphs of written text should be in the slides.
• Include a brief narration of less than 30 seconds for each slide (i.e., the narration takes the place of any written paragraphs, while the bullet points provide context and cues for the audience to follow along).

Your presentation should address the following:

• Identify the presenting problem for the case study you selected. (Remember the presenting problem has to be framed from the perspective of role theory. For example, the presenting problem can be framed within the context of role functioning).
• Identify all the relevant roles assumed by the client.
• Analyze the social expectations and social and cultural norms revolving around the role, social position, and role scripts of one of the roles assumed by the client.
• Explain the role and social position of the social worker in working with the client in the case study.
• Describe how the role(s) and social position(s) assumed by the social worker will influence the relationship between the social worker and the client.
• Identify three assessment questions that are guided by role theory that you will ask the client to better understand the problem.
• Identify and describe two interventions that are aligned with the presenting problem and role theory.
• Identify one outcome that you would measure if you were to evaluate one of the interventions you would implement to determine if the intervention is effective.
• Evaluate one advantage and one limitation in using role theory in understanding the case.

Be sure to:

• Identify and correctly reference the case study you have chosen.
• Use literature to support your claims.
• Use APA formatting and style.
• Include the reference list on the last slide.

Shelly Cohen RE: Discussion – Week 4COLLAPSE

Hello Class,

I selected Latino immigrant children to conduct a library search for an empirical study focused on the unique psychosocial factors or issues a social worker should be aware of when working with that group.

Four specific psychosocial factors that should be taken into account in order to understand the psychosocial context when working with Latino children are:  Psychologically related—1. “Large numbers of refugee children arriving in high-income countries[, i.e., the United States,]…have mental health needs [such as PTSD] that are higher than for the general population and that these are exacerbated by the numbers of traumatic events they have experienced and the post-migration stressors they continue to be exposed to” (Fazel, 2018); 2. Adapting to a new culture is an issue because “[children] struggle with finding their place as they bridge the gap between values and traditions of their home country and those of their new country, the United States; Socially related—3. Residence instability is problematic, particularly for the undocumented seeking asylum, as “[c]urrent political and economic instability in Latin America has led to a significant displacement of citizens (approximately 5 million, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre), both within and outside of their countries of origin”; and, 4. Family stressors such as discrimination and illness, etc. (Aparicio, Pecukonis, & Zhou, 2014).

A psychosocial intervention that addresses one of the four specific psychosocial factors described above is the trauma systems therapy approach.  “The trauma systems therapy approach developed by Saxe, Ellis and Kaplow (2007) is a collaborative, multisystem approach to treat traumatized children within their communities” (Robinson & Kaplan, 2011).Hello Class,

Outcomes I might measure if I were to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions are Latino immigrant children stable with permanent shelter, enrolled and receiving services in school, e.g., ESL, individual/group/family counseling, free breakfast and lunch, etc., health evaluations and treatments by local clinicians, clothes and household supplies from community organizations and churches, and government and privately-funded sources for food security.

One advantage of using a psychosocial framework in social work practice with Latino immigrant children are the ability “to intervene [on their behalf] within multiple social systems, using multiple modalities of treatment and a blend of treatment techniques” (Robinson & Kaplan, 2011).  According to Fazel (2018), refugee children have many needs to be addressed that might present within both their mental and physical health as well as their broader systems, be that in their family, school or the wider community. 

References

Aparicio, E., Pecukonis, E. V., & Zhou, K. (2014). Sociocultural Factors of Teenage Pregnancy in Latino Communities: Preparing Social Workers for Culturally Responsive Practice. Health & Social Work  , 39(4), 238–243. doi:10.1093/hsw/hlu032.

Fazel, M. (2018). Psychological and psychosocial interventions for refugee children resettled in high-income countries. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 27(2), 117-123. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1017/S2045796017000695

Robinson, H., & Kaplan, C. (2011).  Psychosocial Theory and Social Work Treatment. Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (5th ed.). F. J. Turner (Ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

 Jennifer Ford RE: Discussion – Week 4 COLLAPSE

MALLORY, C., & SEARS, B. (2018). Refusing to Serve Lgbt People: An Empirical Assessment of Complaints Filed under State Public Accommodations Non-Discrimination Laws. Journal of Research in Gender Studies, 8(2), 106. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=133593619&site=eds-live&scope=site

One psychosocial behavior may be hostility in the gay and lesbian population.  One could see themselves in a role that they feel defines them, or that they must constantly define for others.  They could look inwardly for strength and outwardly give the impression that they are content with their life as they are treated.  Living with two daughters that identify as bisexual, we have been exposed to and have tried to help in the hostility they may feel mostly towards other girls that they have expressed interest in, and they find out that their parents are not accepting of their sexuality.  It saddens me, and I try to be there for both of them when they have questions, and hope they do not grow up with hostility.

Another is social conformity.  When I was a child, I knew I liked boys, but had never given a thought about same sex couples.  We went to Pride two weeks ago in Pittsburgh, and it was wonderful to feel the love and simple happiness of not being afraid to express one’s self (despite the church group that preached against homosexuality) but in my work in Atlanta, I met a wonderful woman who has a wife, and she sadly explained they lived in a small town.  She said she was afraid of holding hands in public with her partner.  I know that this is a very sensitive psychosocial topic that needs to be worked upon to achieve epiphany for some that are hesitant to accept their family or friends. 

Yet another is a mental illness that they may have.  Certainly this must be looked at and tended to by a doctor, and with our piecemeal system of care, it could be difficult or even dangerous to find care in one’s city.  There could be fear of retribution from the doctor, even though they’ve taken an oath. 

Finally pain can most definitely be another factor.  With the fear of pain diagnosis ripe on the minds of everyone for fear of addiction, many types of pain management might not be considered including medical marijuana and CBD oil can and should be explored.  Right now there is a fear of retribution that should be taken into consideration in order to treat the patient. 

I think as simple as it sounds, talk therapy is a wonderful resource and should be used to it’s fullest.  There is something to be said for ‘verbally vomiting’ on someone else who is paid to listen.  It is easy, and can be measured by a scale (1-10) or a pre treatment questionnaire and post treatment questionnaire.   

References:

Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

·         Chapter 26: The Psychosocial Framework of Social Work Practice (pp. 411–419)

·         Chapter 30: Role Theory and Concepts Applied to Personal and Social Change in Social Work (pp. 452–470)

Blakely, T. J., & Dziadosz, G. M. (2008). Case management and social role theory as partners in service delivery. Care Management Journals, 9(3), 106–112. doi:10.1891/1521-0987.9.3.106