Psychosocial Development Theory and its Application in Social Work Practice

This report discusses the psychosocial development theory and its application in social work practice. It uses the case study of Leah to highlight the importance of fulfilling basic psychosocial needs for normal development. The report provides justification for the application of this theory and suggests counseling sessions as a way to resolve the problems faced by Leah.

Running head: PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
Professional Social Work Practice
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Executive Summary
The report highlights the various aspects of the social work theory of psychosocial
development theory and also the effective manner in which it can be used. For the purpose of
this analysis the report uses the case study of Leah. The report begins by providing an
overview of the case study under discussion here and also highlights the various problems
faced by Leah. The report next introduces the psychosocial development theory and its
various important precepts. The report also provides justification for the application of this
development in the particular context of the case under discussion. Finally, the report
concludes with a discussion of the manner in which this theory can be applied in the case of
Leah like the use of counseling sessions and others for the resolution of the problems faced
by her.

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the case..................................................................................................................3
Psychosocial Development Theory............................................................................................4
Justification of the application of Psychosocial Development Theory in the case under
discussion...................................................................................................................................5
Application of Psychosocial Development Theory in the case under discussion......................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................6
References..................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
The field of social work practice is a very wide one and aims to address the problems
faced by the individuals within the spectrum of the modern society (Kail & Cavanaugh,
2018). The immense growth of this genre of work is in synchronicity with the plethora of
coping and other kinds of emotional, mental and physical issues faced by the individuals
(Zhang, 2015). Ullrich-French and Cole (2018) are of the viewpoint that the diverse social
work practices and theories not only try to find the root cause or the reason for the problems
faced by the individuals but also to address them in the most effective manner. In this regard,
the various social work practice theories and models like psychosocial development theory,
rational choice theory, cognitive behavioral therapy and others have emerged as the most
important ones (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2018). This report will discuss about the psychosocial
development theory, its importance and the manner in which it can be implemented in the
particular context of the case study provided.
Overview of the case
The case study highlights the problems faced by Leah and the manner in which the
problems faced by her are affecting her normal development and also inhibiting her to lead a
meaning life. Leah is a 33 year old woman who is married to John, aged 35 and has two
children both below the age of 5 years. She had a very prosperous childhood however she is
currently facing various kinds of issues with her marriage. In this regard, it can be said that
the marriage has become a nightmare for her and at the same time it is taking a toll on her
personal life. The only solace that she can is the work that she is doing and also in the
company of her children. However, it is seen that because of the emotional problems that she
is having in her marriage she is not being able to be the kind of mother that she wants to be.
In addition to this, it is also seen that she is losing her confidence and also finds difficulty in

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going to sleep. Furthermore, the painful married life that she is leading currently is making
her loose sense of reality and gradually she is becoming a pessimist. To add to her misery,
she had nowhere to go and at the same time it is seen that although she hails from a
prosperous family she is not in touch with them. She has tried to resolve her differences with
John many times but each time she tries to do so John’s behavior puts her off. Thus, in a way
it can be said that the tumultuous marriage and the emotional problems that she is having
currently are not only hindering the process of her normal development but at the same are
deterring her from fulfilling her basic psychosocial needs.
Psychosocial Development Theory
The psychosocial development theory was formulated in the latter half of the 20th
century by Erik Erikson and Joan Erikson (Meeus, 2016). Malone et al. (2016) have argued
that this is a psychoanalytic theory which states that there are eight different stages through
which an individual must pass through to lead a healthy as well as normal life. For example,
the theory indicates various common needs of the individuals like love, social relationships,
fidelity, care and others which help an individual to fulfill the basic requirements of their life
(Karkouti, 2014). As opined by Goldman and Goodboy (2017), these needs or requirements
of the individuals go a long way in not only making the life of these individuals a meaningful
one but at the same time helps the individuals to achieve the basic goals of their lives.
However, on the other hand, Ullrich-French and Cole (2018), have argued that an ineffective
fulfillment of these needs or requirements of the individuals besides creating discontent in the
individuals can also cause them to become dissatisfied with their life and thereby inhibit their
normal development. It is precisely in this context, that the theory of psychosocial needs
becomes important within the framework of the contemporary world since it is seen that
because of the complexity posed by the modern society the majority of the individuals are

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unable to fulfill these basic requirements of their lives. Thus, it can be said that there is a need
for an initiative on the part of the modern society and also the various social workers so that
the individuals are being able to meet these requirements of their lives and thereby lead a
normal life.
Justification of the application of Psychosocial Development Theory in the case under
discussion
The case of Leah clearly reveals that she is finding it difficult to fulfill the basic
psychosocial needs of her life. For example, she is 33 years old and as per Erickson’s eight
stages of development she belongs to the age group of 20-39 years of age. In this particular
age bracket, the most basic requirement of the individuals is love and they try to attain it
through the machinery of marriage. However, as the case study reveals the marriage of Leah
and John is certainly not a happy one although they has two kids and at the same time is
certainly not based on love and romance. Thus, it can be said that the majority of the
emotional, physical as well as mental problems that she is facing at the current are because of
her inability to get this basic need of hers fulfilled. Weisskirch (2018) is of the viewpoint that
the lack of effective fulfilling of the needs of the individuals as per their age brackets can not
only lead to various kinds of physical as well emotional problems but at the same time mental
ones as well. This is perhaps one of the major reasons for the feelings of isolation, loneliness,
lack of self-confidence and others that she is having currently. Furthermore, it is seen that in
order to redeem the lack of love as well as acceptance that she is getting in her marriage, she
is trying to re-compensate it with professional success and also through acceptance by her
colleagues. Thus, it is likely that the fulfillment of the need of love is likely to resolve the
various problems that Leah is facing currently.

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Application of Psychosocial Development Theory in the case under discussion
Svetina (2014) is of the viewpoint that the various social workers for the effective
application of the psychosocial developmental theory can take the help of various measures
or strategies like counseling sessions, discussion sessions, offering advice to the individuals
involved in the case and others. These are some of the most basic approaches that the social
workers related to the ABC Center for Help can use for the effective resolution of the
problems faced by Leah in her married life. For example, the social workers can bring both
Leah and John under one roof and as a mediator in resolving the differences that they are
having currently in their marriage. This will require both John and Leah to honestly discuss
the issues that both of them are having with each and also try to resolve them so as to lead a
normal life. The effective resolution of these issues is likely to take the help of the entity of
love and at the same time also to understand the importance of this need within the
framework of their marriage. In addition to this, both of them will have to understand the fact
that love is one of the most basic requirements of the human beings and the lack of it in their
lives can create various problems. The fulfillment of this need is one of the primary reasons
why the individuals marry in the first place. Thus, in order to ensure the steady development
of their lives and also for the purpose of leading a meaningful life both John and Leah would
have to resolve their personal differences that they are having in their marriage through the
use of the counseling session organized by the social worker.
Conclusion
To conclude, the various social work theories have gained a substantial amount of
prominence within the framework of the contemporary society and they are primarily
directed to help the individuals to cope with the different problems that they are facing. In
this regard, mention needs to be made about the psychosocial development theory which

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through the articulation of the different needs of the individuals at diverse stages of their life
provides them with the need on which they need to focus. Furthermore, it is seen that the
effective fulfillment of these needs not only helps the individuals to achieve a steady growth
but at the same time to fulfill their basic needs as well. This is perhaps one of the major
reasons for the widespread usage of this developmental theory by the various social work
professionals for addressing the needs and the problems faced by the individuals of the
contemporary world.

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References
Goldman, Z. W., & Goodboy, A. K. (2017). Explaining doctoral students’ relational
maintenance with their advisor: a psychosocial development
perspective. Communication Education, 66(1), 70-89.
Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2018). Human development: A life-span view. Cengage
Learning.
Karkouti, I. M. (2014). Examining psychosocial identity development theories: A guideline
for professional practice. Education, 135(2), 257-263.
Malone, J. C., Liu, S. R., Vaillant, G. E., Rentz, D. M., & Waldinger, R. J. (2016). Midlife
Eriksonian psychosocial development: Setting the stage for late-life cognitive and
emotional health. Developmental psychology, 52(3), 496.
Meeus, W. (2016). Adolescent psychosocial development: A review of longitudinal models
and research. Developmental psychology, 52(12), 1969.
Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2017). Development through life: A psychosocial
approach. Cengage Learning.
Svetina, M. (2014). Resilience in the context of Erikson’s theory of human
development. Current Psychology, 33(3), 393-404.
Ullrich-French, S., & Cole, A. N. (2018). Exploring participant characteristics in an
assessment of changes in psychosocial outcomes in a physical activity-based positive
youth development programme for girls. International Journal of Sport and Exercise
Psychology, 16(5), 535-554.

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Weisskirch, R. S. (2018). Psychosocial Intimacy, Relationships with Parents, and Well-being
among Emerging Adults. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 1-9.
Zhang, L. F. (2015). Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. International
Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences.