AbstractAbstract
To secure confidentiality, the client in the study will be referred to as Josh J. Josh J. is a 13-year-old black male. While doing this case study, the researcher found several theories and concepts to be of help to describe the development of the 13-year-old client. The theories that were of focus in this case study are; James Marcia’s ego identity statuses, Morris Rosenberg’s model of identity, and James Fowler’s stages of developmental faith. The concepts discussed are depression and suicide, sexual decision-making, substance use and abuse, bullying, and the client’s relationship with school.
Case Study:
Josh J. In this case study, several theories and concepts were used to understand the development …show more content…
During early adolescence, youth continue to develop their psychological identity and social identity. In this stage of development, youth begin to define who they are, and they are also faced with the task of understanding and acknowledging the various groups and cultures they identify with. Hutchison (2015) discussed Marcia’s ego identity statuses theory, an extension of Erikson’s identity versus role diffusion theory. In the ego identity statuses theory, James Marcia coined four identity statuses that addressed the varying personality identities; identity diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium and identity achievement (Hutchison, 2015). Josh J. is in the phase of foreclosure, where he can commit to certain roles and values without any exploration or personal consideration. For instance, Josh J. identified as a religious believer and basketball player. The client has been raised in a religious household and holds the value of God and religion without any self-exploration of what religion means to him personally. The client was introduced to many sports in elementary school but committed to basketball due to his parents' belief that it would be the best sport for him based on his height and skill level. Thus far in development, Josh J. has committed to certain roles and values based on the values and beliefs of his …show more content…
In James Fowler’s stages of developmental faith, there are 6 stages in which an individual may progress through, throughout life. The fourth stage of spiritual development, the synthetic-conventional stage, is where Josh J. is in spiritual development. In the synthetic-conventional stage, there is a need for acceptance and clarity of concepts from those that are significant in the child’s life (Fowler et al., 2004). Fowler (2004) goes on to say that the child lacks the ability to seek the truth behind family and community values to truly see if they believe in these ideas. In the interview session, Josh J. identified himself as a believer in God without any knowledge of being part of a specific religious group. Joshua disclosed to the researcher that he continues to practice his faith by saying the “Lord’s Prayer” before meals and before bedtime. When asked what believing in Christ meant to him, Josh J. replied that “God is love and that is what his parents taught him to believe in”. The client’s lack of insight and parental influence is what keeps him connected to his faith. In Fowler’s (2004) article, he mentioned that youth in the synthetic-conventional stage struggle to think outside of what they have been taught and distance themselves from those who think differently than they do. Although the Josh nor his parents brought up any instances where his religious point of view may be questioned, there may be a point in time
To secure confidentiality, the client in the study will be referred to as Josh J. Josh J. is a 13-year-old black male. While doing this case study, the researcher found several theories and concepts to be of help to describe the development of the 13-year-old client. The theories that were of focus in this case study are; James Marcia’s ego identity statuses, Morris Rosenberg’s model of identity, and James Fowler’s stages of developmental faith. The concepts discussed are depression and suicide, sexual decision-making, substance use and abuse, bullying, and the client’s relationship with school.
Case Study:
Josh J. In this case study, several theories and concepts were used to understand the development …show more content…
During early adolescence, youth continue to develop their psychological identity and social identity. In this stage of development, youth begin to define who they are, and they are also faced with the task of understanding and acknowledging the various groups and cultures they identify with. Hutchison (2015) discussed Marcia’s ego identity statuses theory, an extension of Erikson’s identity versus role diffusion theory. In the ego identity statuses theory, James Marcia coined four identity statuses that addressed the varying personality identities; identity diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium and identity achievement (Hutchison, 2015). Josh J. is in the phase of foreclosure, where he can commit to certain roles and values without any exploration or personal consideration. For instance, Josh J. identified as a religious believer and basketball player. The client has been raised in a religious household and holds the value of God and religion without any self-exploration of what religion means to him personally. The client was introduced to many sports in elementary school but committed to basketball due to his parents' belief that it would be the best sport for him based on his height and skill level. Thus far in development, Josh J. has committed to certain roles and values based on the values and beliefs of his …show more content…
In James Fowler’s stages of developmental faith, there are 6 stages in which an individual may progress through, throughout life. The fourth stage of spiritual development, the synthetic-conventional stage, is where Josh J. is in spiritual development. In the synthetic-conventional stage, there is a need for acceptance and clarity of concepts from those that are significant in the child’s life (Fowler et al., 2004). Fowler (2004) goes on to say that the child lacks the ability to seek the truth behind family and community values to truly see if they believe in these ideas. In the interview session, Josh J. identified himself as a believer in God without any knowledge of being part of a specific religious group. Joshua disclosed to the researcher that he continues to practice his faith by saying the “Lord’s Prayer” before meals and before bedtime. When asked what believing in Christ meant to him, Josh J. replied that “God is love and that is what his parents taught him to believe in”. The client’s lack of insight and parental influence is what keeps him connected to his faith. In Fowler’s (2004) article, he mentioned that youth in the synthetic-conventional stage struggle to think outside of what they have been taught and distance themselves from those who think differently than they do. Although the Josh nor his parents brought up any instances where his religious point of view may be questioned, there may be a point in time