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LB112922
An explanation of the high-risk behaviors that Dani is exhibiting….
An explanation of the high-risk behaviors that Dani is exhibiting. Describe the theoretical approaches and practice skills you would employ in working with Dani. How might familial relationships influence Dani’s mood and behavior?
Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Chapter 7, “Psychological Development in Adolescence” (pp. 320-360)
Danni’s behavior
Argumentative behavior with authority figures, physical altercations with peers, poor concentration in class, irritable mood, verbal combativeness when confronted, truancy, and highly sexualized behavior with male peers. On one occasion, a teacher had witnessed her and a male peer being intimate in the girl’s bathroom at school. At home, Dani had become more argumentative and physically threatening. Her parents had discovered that she and her friends drank alcohol regularly in their home when they were away. Dani’s parents reported that she was up most of the night and slept most of the day. They also reported that her mood was highly irritable and that she was extremely impulsive. She had no interest in getting involved with any extracurricular activities, stating that those things are “corny and boring.”
Individual session with the social worker
In the first meeting, Dani and her mother both appeared agitated with each other and became argumentative when going through the intake information. Dani quickly told me that she was not planning to talk about anything because this meeting was her parents’ idea. She stated, “I don’t have any problems, my parents do.” Soon into this first visit, Dani blurted out that her mother was upset with her because she had just shown her a tattoo she had had done recently, purchased using a fake ID. I acknowledged her news and asked if this was the way that she usually shared important information with her mother. Dani shrugged and stated, “I don’t know. I figure I better tell her now before she gets too busy.”
Dani’s mother
I ( social worker) asked both Dani and her mother what their expectations were for counseling and what each would like to get from these visits. Dani’s mother seemed surprised and stated, “This is for her. She better change her attitude and start to focus on school.” I explained that often it is helpful to have sessions both individually and with family members. I also pointed out that because family issues were identified it might be productive to address them together. Dani’s mother agreed to attend some meetings but also stated that her time was limited. I was told that Dani’s father would not be able to join us because he was never available at that time.
Dani and I began sessions alone, and her mother joined us for the second half. During the family sessions, we addressed the communication breakdown between Dani and her mother and Dani’s high-risk behaviors. Individual sessions were used to address her impulsive behavior and self-esteem issues.
Family Dynamics
In individual sessions, Dani talked about how the family had changed since her sister left for college. She said her parents stopped being present and available once her sister went away to school. She said she spent more time on her own and her behavior was under more scrutiny. Dani also talked about her sister, describing her as an excellent student and very popular. She said her teachers in middle school would often compare Dani to her sister, making her feel unsuccessful in comparison. During a family portion of a session, Dani’s mother initially disagreed with Dani’s point of view regarding how the family had changed, stating, “She’s just trying to trick you.” I encouraged them to discuss what was different about the family dynamics now compared to when the older sister was at home. We discussed how the family had changed through the years, validating both perspectives.
Dani’s father
In time, I was able to have Dani’s father join us in some of the family meetings. He said he felt Dani’s behaviors were just a phase and part of being a teenager. Dani’s parents disagreed openly in our sessions, with each blaming the other for her behavioral issues. During these sessions, we addressed how they each may have changed as their children matured and left home and how this affected their availability to their youngest child. I helped them identify what made Dani’s experience distinct from her siblings’ and examine what her high-risk behaviors might be in reaction to or symptomatic of in the family.
