SOAD9060: Flinders University Social Work Theories Case Study Report

This report delves into a social work case study involving the Mitchell family, focusing on Jennifer, a 43-year-old single mother with two children, Thomas and Amelia. The assignment applies two key social work theories: crisis intervention and attachment theory. The report begins with an introduction to social work theories and then provides a detailed overview of crisis intervention, emphasizing its role in addressing immediate psychological needs and restoring biopsychosocial functioning. It explores the principles of crisis intervention, including problem definition, ensuring safety, and providing support. The report then examines attachment theory, discussing the bonds between caregivers and children and the different attachment styles. The core of the report analyzes the case study, comparing and contrasting the two theories and explaining the reasons for selecting each. The application section links the principles of both theories to the case study, illustrating how crisis intervention can help Jennifer manage her challenges and how attachment theory explains the children's behaviors. The report also includes a discussion of the principles of problem-solving and psychological theories and how they apply to the case study. The conclusion summarizes the findings and reinforces the importance of understanding and applying social work theories in practice.

SOCIAL WORK
THEORIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAINBODY...................................................................................................................................3
Crisis intervention theory............................................................................................................3
Attachment theory.......................................................................................................................4
Analyse the case study.................................................................................................................4
Argument between Attachment theory and crisis innervation....................................................4
Reason to select specific theory...................................................................................................5
Principles to aspects of case study............................................................................................7
Principle of stress.........................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Social work theories support to explain human behaviour by expressing their expression
and response to certain stimuli.Social workers specially use the different social work model to
understand human behaviour through their practices. The theory contains six core theoretical
frameworks i.e. system theory, social learning theory, transpersonal theory, psychological
development theory, psychodynamic and cognitive theory which is implemented by the social
worker in their practices so that easy to understand human response in the environment. Even
these theories support to social worker to understand root of problem and how to resolve over the
period.The brief study of the report provides understanding about two theories problem solving
theory and psychological theory.
MAINBODY
Crisis intervention theory
Crisis intervention is a type of problem-solving theory which is used to understand
human behaviour and their response in pandemic situation.it is short-term emergency which
gives response to mental, emotional, physical and behavioural stress. It supports a person to be
become equilibrium for their biopsychosocial functioning and reduces the potential for long-term
trauma and distress. It focuses on strength and resources which helps to overcome crisis and
improves level of coping, confidence and problem-solving.The model involves several factors
which helps to overcome crisis such as defines problem to analyse issue from female point of
view. To understand feeling needs core listening skills, genuinenessand acceptance. Second
principle is to ensure women’s safety. It interprets that constantly accessing of possible physical,
psychological; danger for the women andother as well. Accessing and safety are the major part
of continuous intervention.Third principle is to provide supports by communicating with people
(women) effectively and offers emotional, instrumental and information support. The model is
practices based on the principles which interprets different situation such as assessing the risk
and safety of the service users (Liu & et.al., 2016). To communicate appropriately with service
users which helps to manage stress level. To identify major issues which creates pandemic
situation for the service and supports to deal with feeling by providing full supports related to

economical, emotional etc. To create action plan based on the crisis response and implement it to
overcome from crisis.
Attachment theory
It is a type of psychology theory which focuses on the bond which builds between
individual and attachment figure such as infant and care givers.There are four type attachment
for children i.e. secure attachment, insecure, ambivalent attachment, insecure, avoidant
attachment, insecure, disorganized attachment. Where Secure attachment represents that child is
encouraged and supports to explore their willingness and welcomes to back to be comfortable by
the care givers or attachment figure. While insecure ambivalentattachment represents that child
is distress due to both seeks and reject contact (Spinelli & et.al., 2017). In simple word, when care
givers are not eligible to understand their child feeling that leads isolation in children behaviour.
Insecure avoidance attachment shows children become distress when gets separationfrom care
givers but when they get back then they also donotget any type pleasure. Insecure disorganized
attachment displays that children doesnot have any strategy to maintain their stress level and
comfort feeling as well. It shows caregivers doesnot learn children to organize a way for
managing the competing needs. The attachment theory interprets that child wants supports from
care givers in different situation but when they donot get supports and affection that leads
isolation in customer behaviour.
Analyse the case study
Argument between Attachment theory and crisis innervation
Crisis Intervention
Crisis intervention theory focuses on immediate and short-term psychological care which
is used to determine crisis situation of individuals in term of restore equilibrium for their bio-
psycho-social functioning and reduces the potential of long-term psychological trauma which
occurs due to high stress level. While crisis plan of the innervation theory supports a child at
certain time when they may be related to mental health or behavioural health needs. To practice
care intervention theory,have to focus on the seven principles which supports to interpret crisis
that causes long-term trauma can take place (Séguin&Chawky, 2017).It is used to give emergency
psychological care to victim so that easy to adapt level of functioning and prevent negative

impact of psychological trauma. The theory involves to assess of women’s situation and apply in
three ways such as nondirective, collaborative or directive. Nondirective situation shows that
when women enables to develop plan and implement their practices on her own for dealing with
stress level. While collaborative counselling interprets that women requires supports to develop
plan so can input its action to deal with situation. It can understand through case study such as
Jennifer who separates fromhis husband. Generally, Jennifer is the primary caregivers for their
children but she had not been paid employment after Thomas born. Then she has injured while
driving to work an went hospital two months. She has brain injury and not able to work that
causes she has to experience period of moderate depression. It shows she has nondirective
counselling. Later on, she got financial support via Centrelink and social worker supported
Jennifer to register with national disability insurance scheme so that she is funded for living their
life. It shows she got collaborative counselling from social workers.
Attachment theory
The attachment theory displays that children caregivers pampering of caregiversall the
time which leads over attachment of children with the caregivers. Attachment is good because it
develops a bond between children and caregivers and encourages them to explore their feelings
and activities butin the absence of caregivers, they unable to take care of themselves and doesnot
know how to manage stress level without caregiver that shows they are over attached with them.
Over attachment is a negative sign because over attachment makes them habitual to dependent
on the caregiver or others lifelong. Attachment theory practice can interlink with case study such
as Jennifer act as caregivers for their children and supports them to explore their
willingness.when Thomas has promoted for high school then becomes busy to care for his
mother and sister that led trouble in concentration while studying (Allen, 2018). It shows children
unable to manage stress level after grown as well.Amelia who is sister of Thomas become
distress and upsets after her mom accident and crises four ahour. Whenever her mom leaves her
alone for ahour then she misses her dad. It shows she needs caregiver’s attachment whole time
due to overattachment.
Reason to select specific theory
Crisis intervention theory is used to understand the case study because it is helpful to
portray situation of Jennifer which she faced by and by but after that she is more potential to

overcome its crisis. The theory model helps to access on service givers situation which causes
stress occurs and helps to resolve the crisis by implementing different practices and provides
supports to overcome the issue. By the crisis intervention practice easy to analyse that Jennifer’s
married life was too complicate due to separation with her husband after baby born. Then she
works as work driver and offers care services to their children as care giver. Then she has got
accident by motor cycle while working drive so have to admit for in hospital two months. She
doesnot have any funds or income due to inappropriate employment. It shows she has to face lots
of crisis but she implements own practice in work to overcome their crisis by getting help from
social workers.
Attachment theory
To choose attachment theory for the case study posses a reason such as it shows bond
between caregivers and children. By the attachment theory easy to identify Jennifer bond with
their children and gets result Thomas and Amelia are the two children in which Thomas is
promoted for high education and starts up to give care to her mother and Amelia. It causes gets
high stress and gets trouble in concentration while studying in class. It shows Thomas grown up
but still doesnot know how to manage stress (Bowlby, 2018). While Amelia is school goer children
and too upset whenever her mother leaves her for a hour then she misses her dad and screams
while remembering them. It shows how Amelia is over attached with care givers.
Principles of Problem-Solving Theory
 The key principle of Problem-solving Theory is Crisis management which enables to identify
problem and explore the main arenas in which goal identification, setting time limits with
strategically planning and implementation of tasks are the various parameters which are
explored vividly. Crisis management enables development of strategic steps with high research
segments, analyzing horizons of emergent steps which are appropriate for evolving on various
arenas. Crisis management enables as one of the most constructive way in serving the various
problems faced by individual in professional or personal lives where the research element acts
as one of the most responsive way to come out of problems.
 Another vital principle of Problem-solving theory is problem identification and exploration
which enables identifying the various researches and analyzing best phase among all scenarios

to put effectively for long term stability. Exploration of all vital points is not only an essential
element to find the most suitable service, technology integration and bringing ethical steps to
solve further long term solutions to problems (Hery and Jasman, 2019). Problem solving theory
elaborates problem solving identification in a particular situation and exploring the best way
and synergy to get out of the various problems where a person is facing trouble.
Principles of Psychological theory:
 The key principle of Psychological theory is attachment in relations within all age groups which
in-built cooperation within reflective synergy and the rational energy of optimism which
connects relations on various aspects. Attachment with various determinants of self-worth,
self-esteem which gains the insights of respect in people, and enhances their functional abilities
within all roles. Psychological theory explains principle of attachment with great emphasis
given on the corners of effective cooperate building structure, and legal structure of all duties.
 Another principle recognized as highly important element of this theory is belonging and
intimacy, where people working towards establishing positive psychological impact on
relationships are highly working with belonging attributes. Intimacy highly encourages
psychological effect on people mind, functionally bring people close to each other have and are
able to create long term impact on their welfare standards. By effectively building intimacy
and cooperative belonging within relations there is proper construction of all elements,
emphasis is given on problem solving and sharing of all emotions which builds further
cooperative living standards (Maggetti and Trein, 2019).
Principles to aspects of case study
 Application of crisis management principle under problem solving theory will enable Jennifer to
construct further life plans in connection with various arenas to evaluate, assess the potential
areas which needs immediate action to get house loans within time frames. This principle will
relatively solve many financial burdens of Jennifer in her personal life, get assistance of
formal legal loans from banks which will boon in her children careers. Crisis management
will enable goal identification and setting time limits of all problems which will help in
further construction of all steps, which will enable him to construct all parameters which will
help in leading high ethical standards of life. Crisis management will enable in problem
solving for long term positive impact with legal actions and assistance from banks, housing

departments. Jenifer will be able to benefit within her physical strength, largely acknowledge
the scenarios of cultivating change.
 Application of problem solving and explorations of all fundamental steps through which Jennifer
can establish proper medical treatment and explore all duties which needs to be attended
towards her children. Thomas and Amelia are not able to perform functionally effectively at
their schools and are highly facing isolation, depression from the rapid changes and their
mothers non –attentiveness. By this principle of problem-solving theory there can be reforms
made on various ground to ethically connect the various parameters of efficiency in living
scenarios (Miller, 2019).
 Application of attachment principle under Physiological theory will enable the repairmen of all
relations between both children, Jennifer as there has been depression in their minds, heart due
to which Amelia continuously cries without her mom. Thomas spends long time in caring for
his mom, younger sibling due to which his performance in school has been degrading
continuously. Attachment principle will resolve their efficiency within each other, cooperative
nature and the functional ability to perform better in their own individual lives.
Psychologically children can connect with their mother at peace, get their issues solved and
also perform better within their school performances.
 Application of belonging and intimacy principle under psychological theory will govern
highconnectivity, productive synergy within their abilities to functionally connect within the
ethical standards. Belonging and intimacy will psychologically enhance their minds
capabilities to share their problems, they can take expert helps of counseling where care given
by healthcare department will resolve their mental, heart issues. Largely Jenifer after
separation from her husband, accident has impacted her strength very significantly on various
paradigms. She has been unable to deliver her duties as mother towards her children and
negligence have made children largely fallen into zone of depression massively.
ECO MAP
The eco map is constructional diagrammatic detailed description of all relations within a
family, where it gives clear distribution of all characters duties, the various functions. Jenifer
is mother of two children Thomas, Amelia who is an independent single mother because of
partition from husband mark.

Principle of stress
Principle stress represents level of normal stress of body at certain point. The maximum
value of normal stress is known as a major principle stress and minimum value of stress as
Jenifer
Amelia
Thomas
Mark

compared normal stress can say minor principle of stress. Stress principle supports in study to
evaluate stress level of Jennifer and it’s children. When Jennifer has got separate from his
husband in that state she has normal stress level because she is independent caregiver who offers
care services to their children but when she has got accident then she unable to pay rental charge
that leads stress level. She gets brain injury due to accident that caused she has experienced
moderate depression.
System theory
System theory refers as a interdisciplinary theory which interprets nature of complex
system in nature, society and science. It is complex philosophy which focuses on the
interdependencies of individual in a group for help and optimize achievement. Ans improves
relation with group and working efficiency (Olson, 2018). The system theory is helpful to
understand the case study because it helps to understand psychology behaviour of caregiver
towards stress and it’s working efficiency. It helps to resolve crisis which occurs for Jennifer in
prospect of nature, society and work related.Thus, system theory assists to understand situation
of Jennifer and her children in the absence of their dad. Even Jennifer faces different situation
like financial issue but she get supports from social worker which helps to reduce her stress
level.
CONCLUSION
The report can be concluded with the explanation that social work theories evolved
within time frames around world can be effectively distributed under Problem solving Theories
and Physiological theories. The principles of these theories are concluded in report with
explanation that people in their independent lives by these theories can solve various issues,
connect with their peers and solve various issues based on their fundamental understanding.
Report has concluded the case study of Jennifer where her 2 children Thomas and Amelia are
going under depression and isolation due to less financial support, no home and later Jenifer met
with severe accident. Report has concluded the various paradigms which can be constructed with
strong focus to use principle of these theories for eliminating problems, researching best
optimum paths which can help them in coping up with depression and isolation (Slavin, 2019).

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Allen, M. (2018). Crisis Intervention Team Training Among CIT-Trained Police Officers.
Bowlby, R. (2018). Fifty years of attachment theory: The Donald Winnicott memorial lecture.
Routledge.
Hery, H. S. and Jasman, J., 2019. FACTORS AFFECTING COMPLIANCE WITH TAX
REGULATIONS: A THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS. Russian
Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences. 93(9).
Liu, S & et.al., (2016). New progress of grey system theory in the new millennium. Grey
Systems: Theory and Application.
Maggetti, M. and Trein, P., 2019. Multilevel governance and problem‐solving: Towards a
dynamic theory of multilevel policy‐making?. Public Administration. 97(2). pp.355-
369.
Miller, R., 2019. Axonal Conduction Time and Human Cerebral Laterality: A Psycological
Theory. CRC Press.
Olson, E. (2018). Parenting, Attachment Theory, and God.
Séguin, M., &Chawky, N. (2017). Crisis Theory and Intervention Strategies as a Way to Mitigate
Suicide Risk. In Handbook of Suicidal Behaviour (pp. 467-483). Springer, Singapore.
Slavin, R. E., 2019. Educational psychology: Theory and practice.
Spinelli, M & et.al., (2017). The Attachment Theory Today: From the Epigenetic Effects of
Maternal Behavior to Psyco-Neuro-Endocrino-Immunology. Journal of clinical
epigenetics. 3(43).