In this paper I will address Jose’s case. Jose is a young Hispanic male who has recently been diagnosed HIV positive. The implications that his HIV diagnosis has had in his life and how attending an HIV support group has helped him to deal with his current situation. HIV is not only a health problem; it also has implications of social and psychological nature for people who are diagnosed with HIV. A social work assessment can help provide comprehensive treatment to the patient, where his/her medical and psychosocial needs are met. To analyze Jose’s case I will use Systems Perspective, Psychodynamic Perspective, Rational Choice Perspective, and their applications to Jose’s case assessment.
Systems theory sees society as a set of systems (biological,
…show more content…
family, school, friends, church, work, etc.) which work to keep their balance or homeostasis. When a member of the system changes the whole system is affected by this change. Problems are seen as the result of a crisis in the system in which the individual develops; so it seeks to modify the situation not the person. Jose’s HIV diagnosis caused a change in his entire system. Jose used to be very social and had a lot of friends. The relationship with his family was good. He was really close to his mother and brothers but not to his father. This diagnosis changed his systems internally and externally. Some of the systems that were open (friendships, relationships) for Jose now are closed systems, because he feels that if people know about his diagnosis he might be rejected. Also now he has to think twice before letting someone in in his life. He set boundaries. Due to these boundaries his role is different from the one he used to have. Jose is no longer that social person he used to be, now he feels alienated. Also his relationship with his friends and brothers is not that good anymore. Jose does not spend time with his friends anymore. He does not longer gets involve in his bothers’ life. He prefers to spend most of his time alone. The only person that he sees as a support is his mother; who is the only one in his family who knows about his diagnosis. It seems that Jose has chosen to isolate himself for the rest of his peers because he does not feel safe about disclosing his HIV status to rest of his family and close friends. “ To be efficacious in meeting professional goals, social workers must have a working knowledge of the body’s system and the ways these systems interact with each other and with other interior and exterior environmental dimensions” ( Hutchison,. 2011. p.78) Psychodynamic perspective “is concerned with how internal processes such as needs, drives, and emotions motivate human behavior” ( Hutchison,.
2011. p. 53). According to this theory the unconscious mind (id, ego and superego) as well as conscious mind which help us to decide what is right or wrong and take decisions play a role in human behavior. It also states that childhood events have a profound impact on people’s lives and how they develop throughout life; a person uses defense mechanisms to cope with traumatic or stressful events. In Jose’s case he first started coping with his diagnosis by repressing his emotions and feelings about his diagnosis. As a result of this he often became sick. It was not until he had a really bad gum infection that he decided to disclose his HIV status to his …show more content…
mother. Being diagnosed with HIV causes both physical and psychological changes in a person. Some of the psychological changes that a person can undergo are being afraid of death, social seclusion, fear of loss of relationships and being alone, and fear of rejection, among others. If the person does not have a solid emotional stability or proper support these psychological changes can be very difficult to bear. When Jose first find out about his HIV status his greater fear was to be rejected by his family, especially to be rejected by his father. Before he joined the support group he had suicidal thoughts and became depressed. He felt that his whole life had ended. “The adjustment process required after finding out one is HIV-positive can thus be conceptualized as one of coping with loss. Factors that moderate the relationship between loss and subsequent mental health problems are life stressors, coping strategies, social support, and personality” (Weiss, J. J. 1997) Attending group therapy is helping Jose to cope with his HIV diagnosis and the impact it has had in his life. Since Jose started to attend the support group he feels more at peace with himself. Psychotherapy has helped Jose to manage his emotions better. Now he is no longer repressing his feelings of fear, isolation and distress. He is learning to cope with the fact that he is HIV positive, to be responsible for his health, and how to adjust his life in a positive way. “The HIV-positive persons who do come to psychotherapy are a select group. They have responded to feelings of distress by initiating contact with a psychotherapist or exhibiting behavior which has led them to one” (Weiss, J. J. 1997) Now that he is part of a support group he feels that he has a broader social support network that he can rely on (Social Network Theory). “Social work administrators and planners use social network theory to understand and enhance the exchange of resources in networks of social service providers” (Hutchison, D. E. 2011. p.51) For Jose this network is very beneficial. He feels emotionally supported and it has helped him to find the resources that he (and probably his family) needs. Because it can be quite hard for a person with HIV have access to health services she/he needs. As well as sometimes people who are diagnosed with HIV are rejected by their family, which makes their diagnosis harder to face. Spirituality is another tool that Jose is using to cope with his diagnosis. “Spirituality is an integral domain of human existence and requires recognition, validation, and intervention if health care providers are to support their clients’ achievement of wholeness and health.” (O’Reilly, M. 2004). Jose does not consider himself a spiritual person. But his diagnosis has led him to seek solace in the spiritual. The use of prayer gives Jose a feeling of tranquility and comfort. The idea of death is something that Jose thinks about often. Spirituality is helping him to see death on a different perspective as well to try to find a new purpose for his life. Rational Choice Perspective theory “sees human behavior as based on self-interest and rational choices about effective ways to accomplish goals”.
(Hutchison, 2011. p. 46) this theory can help us to understand Jose’s decisions regarding to confessing his diagnosis to the rest of his family or not. ”The potential for rejection, abandonment, physical and emotional abuse and other adverse consequences creates substantial barriers to disclosing HIV status” (Kalichman, C. S. et al.2007) as mentioned before Jose biggest fear is being rejected by the rest of his family, especially being rejected by his father. Now that Jose is attending the support group he knows that it is important that his family learn about his HIV status. So they can help Jose to make the necessary adjustments he needs to do to live a satisfactory. “Human interaction involves trade of social resources such as love, approval, information, money and physical labor. “ (Hutchison, D. E. 2011. p. 46). Jose is aware that disclosing his HIV status to the rest of his family would be beneficial to all of them. Because he and his family need to make changes in their lifestyle and they all need to be educated on HIV. Moreover Jose also is aware of the consequences this entails for both him and the rest of his family. Some negative consequences that this may bring to Jose is being rejected by his family and social stigmatization to which his family might be
victim. The last step for a successful intervention with Jose would be to promote a healthy life and his overall well-being. To promote good health and well-being both physically and psychologically is necessary that he learns how to make use of the resources that he already possesses. For instance education can be a good resource that he can use. “Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, HBV, and HCV and additionally improved their psychological well-being when the information is presented through culturally-sensitive programs.” (Nyamanthi, A. et al. 2013) Another way to promote Jose’s well-being is to make use of his support systems; family, friends, group therapy, religion etc. these will provide him greater emotional stability. Which will allow him to face reality from a more positive perspective. “Social networks and social support have been found to be beneficial to the health of individuals in a variety of ways--reducing mortality rates, improving recovery from serious illness, and increasing use of preventive health practices” (Hurdle, D. E. 2001) Added to this is necessary for me, as a social worker to promote equal treatment of people with AIDS. This does not only benefit my client, it will have an impact on the whole society. It is extremely important that the client has the necessary skills and resources and know how to use these to achieve an optimum physiological state in which he/she can assert himself/herself to achieve a satisfactory life.
Vronsky, P. (2004). Serial killers: The method and madness of monsters. New York, NY: Berkley Book.
a disease process, few have explored the benefits of using their highly developed intuitive thinking
Melchert, T., & Patterson, M. (1999). Duty to warn and interventions with HIV-positive clients. Professional Psychology Research and Practice, 30 (2), 180-186.
Finding a definition of child physical abuse is controversial, but the signs of a child being abused is straightforward if you know how to read them. For example, Hitting, punching, kicking them, or using objects to injure to abuse them. All those examples are seen in the case of 8- year- old, Gabriel Fernandez after he was brutally abused for eight months.
The Sanchez family are riddled with a unique set of problems for a social worker to intervene and provide assistance. Being a family that immigrated to the United States, they are managing many problems within the family that is ranging from disability, substance abuse, and immigration. This paper is a case analysis of each particular family member in the Sanchez family. Each family member will be analyzed and issues will be prioritized. Also, an intervention or a clinical resolution will be introduced to the best of the writer’s knowledge. Lastly, this writer will reflect on herself to determine her level of empathy and sympathy towards each family in the Sanchez family. Each family member is presenting individual problems and indicators that there is an underlying issue that needs intervention.
Theory has been defined as, “an organized set of assumptions, beliefs, or ideas about particular phenomena in the world (Teater, 2015).” Theory is used to understand and explain possible and perceived instances, behaviors and outcomes (Teater, 2015). Social workers use theory in order to understand, as well as, introduce interventions and solutions to their client’s individual situation. It is important for students entering into the social work profession to have a base knowledge of theories, with basic understanding of their similarities and differences to appropriately apply theory in practice. The theories which will be focused on in this paper include Systems Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory.
On 11/9/17 at 9:56 AM, Security Officer Larry Mayer notified Security Account Manager Enmanuel Cabrera, that he witnessed IH Services Supervisor Roberto Medina take a soda from the bistro and not pay for it. Immediately an investigation was launch to see exactly what happened. Upon further review of the video surveillance system, one can see that Roberto Medina goes to the pay kiosk near the coffee machine at 9:45:54 AM. While at the kiosk, Roberto appears to refill his US Connect card. Shortly after that, Roberto goes to the refreshment refrigerator and grabs a grape crush soda. Upon grabbing the soda, he goes to get a cup, then some ice, and sits back down. At no point and time is Roberto seen paying or returning to the kiosk.
“Clinically, the HIV infected adolescents present as physically stunted individuals, with delayed puberty and adrenarche. Mental illness and substance abuse are important co-morbidities” (Naswa, 2010). Naswa, 2010 also reports that adolescences with HIV have a higher susceptibility rate to contract STD’s that the average individual due to the thinner lining of mucus in the ovaries at this stage of their development. The stigma of living with HIV is also a factor for her psychosocial development. The fact that she contracted this disease from her father further contributes to emotional trauma.
Leonard Fleck, a commentator, argues in favor of Carlos, a twenty-one year old homosexual, Hispanic male, not telling his older sister Consuela about him being HIV positive in order for her to care for him. The first commentator’s thesis argues that Carlos’s physician does not have to disclose that Carlos is HIV positive, because no major harm will come to Consuela, there are other option so Carlos could keep his other illness covert, and if breach does happen then it could lead to Carlos being ostracized or even not being cared for. The second commentator, Marcia Angell, argues that Consuela has the right to know that Carlos’s is HIV positive, because she would be deceived, pressured to provide nursing care by the hospital, and exploited by the hospital. Leonard Fleck and Marcia Angell both have compelling arguments; however, I agree more with well-supported Fleck’s arguments and conclusion while Marcia Angell arguments and conclusion are idealistic rather than concrete.
... the dichotomy disease / Illness established to differentiate between pathology and suffering of the individual. While disease is an organic condition that can be discovered through various laboratory procedures, illness is much more subjectively, describing the status of the individual suffering and how the suffering is influencing his daily experience of life ( EJ Sobo , 2004:3 ) .The concept of illness includes both individual reactions to the state of being ill, and beliefs and attitudes that he has on the disease of suffering ( M. Winkelman 2009:60 ) . At least in theory, disease is universal, pathological damage of the body can be labelled and classified. Illness, however, is a variable factor, influenced by human personality traits, family background and social context, as well as, by the cultural context which acts as a modelling vector of human suffering.
Armando’s case is a very difficult one to try and find a solution too because there are not many. My first thought when Armando’s story started is there is no way this guy is going to live. Which is exactly what the staff at Hermann thought. They were preparing for a good donor when Armando arrived. “He’s not going to make it… except for the gunshot, he’s basically healthy. He’ll make a good donor” (pg. 53). As I said before when Armando pulled through the staff didn’t really know what to do with him. They knew at that point that he had no insurance and would not be able to pay his bills. They were banking on him wanting to die. When Armando answered yes to the question do you want to live like this, it shocked everyone. At the point of Armando
Chronic illness has a significant impact on the functioning of the individual within the family and community. For individuals living with HIV, the impact of this illness is further exacerbated by the stigma and discrimination associated with the virus. Rosa, a 61 year old woman in Zimbabwe exemplifies the impact of illness on the caregivers and support system. The family systems theory offers a critical lens to understand a family as a “system” with basic units that are interdependent. Understating a family as a system is critical in examining the relationships within a family. According to Dore (2008), practice informed by family systems pays attention to the functioning for the system as a whole, as well as the functioning of the interlocking subsystems. This theoretical background informs the social worker’s assessment of Rosa and her family as they cope with the emotional, physical and medical aspects of HIV/AIDS.
“To know who was positive and who was negative, [one] just had to stand and watch” (49). People standing in line to get tested were able to tell if others were positive or negative by how long others’ post-test consultations were. A long meeting meant that person was HIV positive and a short meeting meant HIV negative. After the testing day in Ithanga, the entire village knew who had HIV of those who tested. In the context of the village community, HIV is not only a sickness, but also rather a sign of bewitchment. “It takes many months before it sinks into my head that those who speak of the shame of the HIV positive are a hair’s breadth from speaking of the shame of witches [and/or bewitchment]” (188). And to be bewitched means that one can “lose the capacity to make money and to hold on to family assets” (172). Therefore, knowing that one is HIV positive invocates the negative social stigma of bewitchment onto the ill person. The harmfulness in the community is founded on the community knowing the private details about an individual’s life. Therefore, the individual can avoid this whole ordeal if he or she does not know, if he or she does not test. The Ithanga community implicitly promotes living in the unknown of their condition as it encourages the fear of the social stigma. People would rather sustain medical suffering even with the
From the moment scientists identified HIV and AIDS, social responses of fear, denial, stigma and discrimination have accompanied the epidemic. Discrimination has spread rapidly, fuelling anxiety and prejudice against the groups most affected, as well as those living with HIV or AIDS. It goes without saying that HIV and AIDS are as much about social phenomena as they are about biological and medical concerns. Across the world the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS has shown itself capable of triggering responses of compassion, solidarity and support, bringing out the best in people, their families and communities. But the disease is also associated with stigma, repression and discrimination, as individuals affected (or believed to be affected) by HIV have been rejected by their families, their loved ones and their communities. This rejection holds as true in the rich countries of the north as it does in the poorer countries of the south.
To understand Health behavior and the association with HIV/AIDS Storey et al. believed that defining communication and knowing the effectiveness of it can shed some light on how it can be used in a positive way to reach those that may otherwise be unreachable. The authors defined Communication as a “fundamental human process without which most individual, group, organizational, and societal activities could not happen, including how people think about and respond to HIV/AIDS” (2015, p. S241).