SOAP documentation
David Son to Jerome, Age 16 years
Has episodes of conflict with Aida and Audrey after mother sent him to live with the father at the age of 14 and spends his time in isolation and does not want to go to school but is social and
loves to associate with friends.
David is also abusive to his sister who cannot sit by herself and who suffers from unusual facial features.
Objective
Could it be that David's behaviour is a direct resultant of his age?
Do teenagers reason about moral issues at all?
Is David searching for identity?
Are David’s parents a source of moral inspiration at the conventional level?
Is David's behaviour of doing nothing all day acceptable?
Assessment/ problem list Samuel, your SOAP does not belong as part of your paper. It should be a separate document.
David is growing up and like any other normal teenager; David wants to grow up away from his family. Possibly, David's reasoning ability informs him that he is old enough to make decisions
and solve his own problems. Nonetheless, David has to deal with his parents who in turn view David as a child needing guidance. In fact, scientists believe that teenager’s brains are yet to grow
until the age of 25. David's erupts at the sister are an example of how teenagers talk without thinking and end up making spiteful remarks. More to this, the fluctuating hormonal levels have caught
up David in a hormonal storm. The disrespectful behaviour by David could also be a sign of a stressed young boy. David's stress could be a resultant of living with the stepmother just at the
beginning of his teenage years.
Plan
David should see a counsellor or a psychiatrist to determine what the real issue is. Whereas some of the symptoms portrayed by David seem normal to a growing teenager, his story is isolated
in the sense that David does not live with his actual mother. David’s departure from his maternal mother at a developed stage of life may have directly affected his behaviour. In addition, David
should discuss moral issues with peers, teachers, observing from those at an advanced level and being involved in a religious community.
The writing paper
As identified in the SOAP, the paper has reason to believe that David’s behaviour is a resultant of several factors. Kail and Cavanaugh note that as a male, David is likely to obtain his
moral reasoning from philosophical and religious traditions as opposed to a girl who will reason based on the concern for others. Using the Kohlberg's theory, David may have borrowed his moral
reasoning from the environment he is growing in. With many parents encouraging children to think about moral issues, little evidence suggests the same about David's parents. Kail and Cavanaugh
advance that one of the sources of moral reasoning to growing teenagers are role models in the society. Using role models, David would learn that accomplished adults take sophisticated reasoning
positions and are not compromised by the society to change their stands (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016).
Little or no evidence suggests that David is involved in religious activities. Kail proposes that adolescents involved in religion are influenced by the religious views to have more concern
for others. David's lack of the same is exemplified in his lack of concern and using insults towards his sister. Kail and Cavanaugh are of the opinion that through involvement in beliefs in the
religious spectrum and attending groups such as the youth makes the youth earn their trust and concern for others (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016). You have some good pieces of information here. Which
specific behaviours does David show which let you know where he is in development per Kohlberg?
Based on rewards and punishments, David's growing up is equally based on his ability perceive the rewards or punishment of his deeds. The paper further reasons that David's actions would be
because of his search for identity. Erik Erikson in 1968 argued that adolescents are caught up in a battle between identity and role confusion. Erikson reasoned that teenagers who are concerned
about intimacy would search for isolation. So, which of these stages are you choosing for David? Erikson proposed that before a teenager attains self-identity, they pass through a lot. For
instance, adolescents have different goals and envision themselves differently. Some envision themselves as athletes, others rock stars etcetera.
With the four stages of self-identity realization not occurring in a sequence, teenagers do not explore alternative identities. David's identity shall nonetheless be apparent as he nears
young adulthood. Actual realization at this stage is not guaranteed though. His current way of thinking is diverse. Specifically which of David’s behaviours let you know the developmental stage
he is in per Erikson?
Abela and Hankin (2008) note that teenagers can be helped out of depression by developing Adaptive Counter-thoughts. Abela and Hankin further propose that upon the realization by teenagers
of negative thoughts and cognitive distortions, one can help the teenagers by talking back to them and encouraging them to revise their thoughts. It is not unusual for teenagers to be depressed.
After all, they are dealing with adolescent pressures. However, it is important to diagnose teenage depression, albeit difficult, and take action. In David's case, Anger and range, lack of
enthusiasm, poor self-esteem and withdrawal from school and activities illustrate signs and symptoms of depression. As previously mentioned, the symptoms may be a resultant of his separation from
his mother or other deep lying factors. What is the textbook page number cite and what does your textbook say about teen age depression? This is a required topic.