Respond to two colleagues with a respectful critique of their analysis. In your critique:
- Explain the extent to which the colleague’s response adheres to the NASW Code of Ethics.
- Identify any potential biases or assumptions in the analysis.
If you integrate the Learning Resources in your posts, make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list.
1: JA-What does Aaron need, and why?
Aaron has been dealing with feelings of abandonment and feelings of unworthiness for almost his whole life. Therefore, Aaron first needs to have his feelings heard and validated. Aaron would benefit from several different things, a few being having a paraprofessional present during the first few sessions with the social worker, family interventions, and group therapy sessions. Paraprofessionals allow the client to speak in their native language, which could make rapport-building go smoother. Having someone who specializes in your client’s cultural background allows you, as the social worker, to better understand them and their problems. The paraprofessional would be able to inform you if the client’s problems are typical for people in that culture and could give you an insight into the client’s body language and attitude (Marsiglia & Lechuga-Peña, 2021). It would be essential to try to get Aaron’s parents in to sit them down with Aaron to have a conversation on how Aaron is feeling about their attitude towards him and to ask why they felt it was necessary to leave him behind for seven years with spending that time with Aaron’s younger brother. Having that conversation, no matter the answers they give, could provide Aaron with closure and help him move on. As the exorcise said, Aaron wants to start over his relationship with his parents; therefore, even if their answers were not the best, it would provide a starting place for the foundation for that relationship. Finally, to touch on group interventions, Aaron would benefit from being involved in culturally grounded group work. This type of group work specifically because Aaron would be able to hear about the different struggles people from different backgrounds face, and by doing so, Aaron would be able to understand himself more along with shining light on what his strengths are (Marsiglia & Lechuga-Peña, 2021). Using the strengths-based approach on Aaron would encourage him to develop new skills and implement positive change by showing him how resilient he has been and helping him gain self-confidence.
What questions would you, as the social worker, ask to provide him with support and better understand his story?
There were several great questions mentioned in the DSM. One question I had in mind while reading Aaron’s story was, what did Aaron’s friends or other family members think of his parents leaving him with grandma (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)? How did Grandma feel about the situation? Although that seems harsh, it could be the norm for that culture; therefore, understanding how everyone else felt about this situation would be good, too. That being said, knowing it was the norm would not remove how Aaron felt abandoned. However, it would give the social worker a better understanding of how the parents see it and how they might act during the family intervention. An essential question for Aaron would be, what are his expectations out of therapy (American Psychiatric Association,2013)? Knowing Aaron’s expectations informs the social worker how serious he is about seeking help and how far he will go to seek treatment.
What systems does Aaron interact with?
Aaron interacts within a school, work, and family system and participates in West Indian activities. All of these activities could have either a negative or positive influence on Aaron. For instance, Aaron associates the West Indian activities with his parent’s criticism instead of filling the void of homesickness and acceptance. The same goes for Aaron’s relationship with his parents. Instead of feeling loved and accepted, he has feelings of abandonment. Aaron had been bullied for his accent and appearance. Therefore, he might need help building relationships with people of different backgrounds.
In what ways might the dominant ethnic group be impacting Aaron’s experience?
It was stated that Aaron had experienced discrimination due to his accent and where he came from. This discrimination could affect the relationship between Aaron and his social worker if they are not of the same background. Aaron may hold animosity towards other people due to his experiences. In doing so, Arron may experience a difficult time establishing trust, which could lead to Aaron not being able to talk about his symptoms (Marsiglia & Lechuga-Peña, 2021). The paraprofessional may be the only way to get Aaron comfortable and establish rapport. In doing so, the social worker could complete the engagement and assessment stages and then move further to providing answers with Aaron’s trust and assistance.
References
Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S. S., & Lechuga-Peña, S. (2021). Diversity, oppression, and change: Culturally grounded social work (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Cultural formulationLinks to an external site.. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.CulturalFormulation
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What does Aaron need, and why?
As a Social worker, when undertaking an initial assessment with a client like Aaron, a 24-year-old Caribbean immigrant grappling with anxiety and depression, it is imperative to employ an approach that delves into his personal history, family dynamics, and cultural influences. This comprehensive exploration ensures a nuanced understanding of his needs and enables the provision of tailored support.
Aaron’s manifestation of anxiety and depression symptoms underscores the necessity for emotional support, coping mechanisms, and therapeutic interventions. As a Caribbean immigrant, his mental health experiences are intricately tied to cultural factors, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing these unique perspectives (Marsiglia et al., 2021; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). A nuanced understanding of Aaron’s cultural background is vital for crafting support strategies that resonate with his specific circumstances.
What questions would you, as the social worker, ask to provide him with support and better understand his story?
To unravel Aaron’s story and provide effective support, the following questions can be instrumental:
- How would you describe your relationship with your parents, and what challenges arise in communication?
- Can you elaborate on the dynamics within your family, especially regarding the challenges in grieving as a family after your younger brother’s passing?
- How has the immigration process influenced your sense of identity?
- How have others reacted to your cultural background?
What systems does Aaron interact with, and in what ways might the dominant ethnic group be impacting Aaron’s experience?
Aaron, as a Caribbean immigrant in the United States, interacts with various systems that shape his experiences. Educational institutions, the workforce, healthcare services, and the community play pivotal roles (Marsiglia et al., 2021). Being part of a marginalized ethnic group, Aaron may encounter discrimination, cultural barriers, and a sense of otherness. These challenges contribute to feelings of rejection and isolation. The dominant ethnic group’s impact on Aaron’s experience may manifest through microaggressions, stereotypes, and systemic inequalities. Aaron’s report of being ridiculed for his accent and pressured to assimilate quickly reflects the challenges he faces in fitting into his new community (Marsiglia et al., 2021). Additionally, the lack of involvement and critique from his parents during his West Indian activities suggests a disconnect and potential strain between his cultural identity and the dominant values upheld by the ethnic majority.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Cultural formulation. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.CulturalFormulation
Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S. S., & Lechuga-Peña, S. (2021). Diversity, oppression, and change: Culturally grounded social work (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.