Health Psychology Perspectives on Separation Anxiety: Joseph and Anila

This essay explores the case of Joseph and his mother, Anila, from a health psychology perspective, focusing on the potential impacts of their separation due to Joseph's academic pursuits abroad. It identifies the risk of Separation Anxiety Disorder in both Joseph, explained by Bowlby's Maternal Attachment Theory, and Anila, potentially leading to Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder and defensive behaviors as per the Self-Affirmation Theory. The essay further discusses coping mechanisms Anila can employ, including emotion-focused, problem-focused, and occupation-focused strategies, to manage the distress caused by the separation. The analysis utilizes the biopsychosocial model of health to understand the interplay of psychological, behavioral, and social factors influencing their well-being during this transition.

Running head: HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
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Executive Summary
The following paper focusses on analyzing the case scenario of Joseph, who is soon to depart
from the care of his single mother Anila, for the purpose of academic achievements abroad.
From a Health Psychology perspective. The separation from his mother can result in anxiety and
distress in Joseph, which is prevalent in Separation Anxiety Disorder and can be explained by
Bowlby’s Maternal Attachment Theory. Likewise, separation from her son, can administer Adult
Separation Anxiety Disorder and defensive behavior as per the Self-Affirmation Theory in Anila.
However, Anila can undertake coping mechanisms in the form of problem-focused, emotion-
focused and occupation-focused coping strategies for enhanced management of the distressed
caused by the stressful event of being separated from her son.

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Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
Discussion............................................................................................................................3
Question 1: Impact of Separation on Joseph and Anila...................................................3
Question 2: Coping Mechanism......................................................................................6
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................8
References............................................................................................................................9

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Introduction
Health Psychology, as researched by Ogden (2012), imply the research concerning the
behavioral, psychological and cultural factors which govern one’s quality of health and
wellbeing, along with susceptibility to illness. The salient foundational outlines of Health
Psychology rely extensively on the ‘Biopsychosocial Model of Health.’ As examined by
Lehman, David and Gruber (2017), the psychological and physiological health and wellbeing of
an individual is determined extensively by an individual’s habits, biological characteristics,
emotions or thoughts and quality of social networks.
The following paper, concentrates on the case scenario of Joseph and his single mother
Anila, from the perspective of principles associated with Health Psychology. The primary
sections predict possible impacts exerted by the separation upon the two, using suitable theory,
while the latter sections focus upon possible coping mechanisms which Anila may utilize after
her son has moved away from home.
Discussion
Question 1: Impact of Separation on Joseph and Anila
Joseph’s decision to move away, resulting in a long term separation from his mother, can
be predicted to result in significant psychological impacts and detrimental physiological and
psychological health outcomes in both Joseph as well as his mother Anila. One of the key
psychological implications that can emerge in both Joseph and Anila is ‘Separation Anxiety
Disorder’, which can further be theoretically explored in both the concerned individuals, through

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utilization of Bowlby’s Attachment or Maternal Attachment Theory and health psychological
principles of Self Affirmation Theory.
Separation Anxiety Disorder, researched by Silove et al. (2015), is a prevalent
psychological implication in infants, children and young adults, involving feelings and emotions
of agitation, distress, fear and anxiety upon being separated from their mothers, a caregiver or
attachment figure or their respective homes. Hence, as researched by Battaglia et al. (2016),
considering the prevalent symptoms of this disorder, the separation from his mother may impact
Joseph negatively in the form of feeling excessively worried or distressed at the thought of being
separated from his mother Anila or with the assumption that he may be permanently separated
from Anila in the future. According to Lebowitz et al. (2017), separation anxiety symptoms may
administer in Joseph may administer in the form of assuming that his mother Anila may face
serious harm in the future in his absence, which may further result in feelings of refusing to
separate from her or sleep without her, along with a possibility of having nightmares about a
permanent separation. Considering principles of health psychology using a biopsychosocial
model, such emotions of distress may further administer in the form of a health continuum in
Joseph resulting in physiological symptoms of nausea, fatigue, headaches and a loss of appetite
(Ogden 2012). The impact and causative factors behind the symptomatic effects of separation
anxiety disorder in Joseph can be outlined taking insights from John Bowlby’s theory of
Maternal Attachment. In accordance to this psychoanalytic theory of attachment by John
Bowlby, children are born with an intrinsic need to form a lasting bond or attachment with their
mothers or an attachment figure in the form of a caregiver. Upon hindrances to this bond of
affection, the concerned child or young adult may suffer from long term detrimental emotional,
psychological and behavioral implications (Gill 2018). Hence, taking insights from Bowlby’s

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theory, the situation of being away from home and as a result, being separated from his mother
Anila, may impact Joseph with long term disruptive behavioral implications such a tendency
towards being delinquent and increased susceptibilities to reduction in intelligence, being
increasingly hostile or aggressive, depressed and being in possession of ‘affectionless
psychopathy’, which is a lack of ability to display concern or affection towards his peers or
elders (Van Rosmalen, Van Der Horst and Van der Veer 2016).
In the situation of Anila, the consequences of being separated away from her only son
Joseph, may lead to negative impacts in the form of Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder. Hence,
as researched by Milrod (2018), considering the symptomatic effects of this disorder may be
prevalent in Anila on whom, Joseph’s departure will impact her in the form of manifestation of a
refusal to accept the need for her son to study abroad, further accompanied by constant feelings
of distress, agitation and worry that Joseph may suffer from future harm, abduction or serious
injury which may further result in occurrences of panic attacks and refusal to sleep away from
Joseph due to the above fears. Considering the previous incidence of being separated from her
husband which has further strengthened her bond with Joseph, the situation of separation from
Joseph can impact Anila which may further result in her being over protective or possessive
towards her only son, or even denying the need for Joseph to prioritize his education first
(Affrunti and Woodruff-Borden 2015). Such emotional, psychological and behavioral impacts in
Anila can be further explained by the Self-Affirmation Theory, as rightly examined by Ogden
(2012). According to Ogden (2012), the theory of self-affirmation outline and explain the ways
in which an individual reciprocates situations which are harmful or threatening to his or her self-
concept. Such situations are responded with distress by the concerned individual who may resort
to defensive behavior in an attempt to justify his or her actions (Epton et al. 2015). Hence, as

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observed by Howell (2017), considering the theoretical principles of self-affirmation theory,
Joseph’s departure, may impact Anila in the form of being over-protecting or refusing to accept
the separation and justify her response to the perceived threat of her role as single mother, by
being defensive, by convincing herself that she is a good parent acting in accordance to her
moral duties and responsibilities and further being flexible in her defense by claiming that in
addition to being a good parent, she is also an appropriate friend, caregiver and protector of her
only son, Joseph.
Question 2: Coping Mechanism
The three types of coping mechanisms which Anila can exercise upon Joseph moving
away from home, will include, emotion-focused, problem-focused and occupation-focused
coping strategies.
Emotion focused strategies of coping, as observed by Lazarus and Folkman, imply the
regulation of one’s emotions which emerge as a response to the stressful or threatening event.
Emotion focused coping strategies involve the usage of a number of mechanisms such as
disclaiming, administration of self-control, engagement in escape-avoidance, acceptance of
blame or responsibility and reappraising the stressful event positively (Thomas, Cassady and
Heller 2017). Hence, on conducting further analysis, Anila can engage in this coping mechanism
by, firstly engaging herself in extensive communication with her friends or relatives with whom
she may disclaim her cocnerns about Joseph’s separation. This may be accompanied by Anila
escaping, avoiding or distancing herself from any situation which may remind her of Joseph or
denying that Joseph has departed, followed by considering herself to be responsible for this
separation (Zeidner, Matthews and Shemesh 2016). Lastly, this may be followed by Anila
gaining control of her emotions and accepting Joseph’s departure, resulting in her positively

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appraising her situation by engaging herself in optimistic thoughts. This may include her
believing that now that Joseph has left, she can finally divert some time to herself and her
personal interests or hobbies (Delahaij and Van Dam 2017).
Additionally, Anila may engage in coping mechanisms which are problem focused. As
researched by Halland et al. (2015), problem focused strategies rely on the principle of
mitigation of the stressor, by eliminating or changing the stressors of associated with the event.
Taking insights from Folkman and Lazarus, problem focused mechanisms of coping involving
the execution of strategies such as exercising self-control, obtaining information and researching
the advantages and disadvantages (Ortega-Maldonado and Salanova 2018). Hence, upon
analyzing the situation of Anila, she may exercise problem focused strategies of coping by firstly
recognizing that her distressful response to Joseph’s departure is a problem and she must take
control of the same. As a result of gaining self-control, Anila may then research to find out more
about adult separation anxiety disorder, and psychological effects observed in parents who are
separated from their children. Lastly, Anila may then weight the shortcomings and strengths of
her situation by recognizing that, while being separated from Joseph is a stressful event indeed,
constantly brooding over the same will result in harmful consequences on her health and
wellbeing and she must now mitigate the same by directing her new found time towards self-care
and personal recreation (Schoenmakers, van Tilburg and Fokkema 2015).
Anila may also engage in an alternative coping strategy, known as occupation focused
coping, which involves a complete alteration of the occupation in which the individual engages
himself or herself in (Zhou et al. 2017). Hence, analyzing the usage of the same, Anila may deal
with Joseph’s departure by engaging herself in a new job so that she may is not reminded of her
roles of being a mother. Likewise, she may positively appraise the situation by undertaking new

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occupations similar to that of a mother, such as engaging herself in jobs such as teaching or child
caregiving where she may exercise her need to play the role of a mother in a positive and less
distressful manner further resulting in enhanced mitigation of her stress towards Joseph’s
departure (Persson et al. 2017).
Conclusion
Hence, it can be concluded that, the situation of departure and result in negative impacts
on both Joseph and Anila, in the form of Separation Anxiety Disorder. Considering the same,
Joseph may display future affectionless psychopathy while Anila may engage in defensive
behaviors, as evident in Bowlby’s Maternal Attachment Theory and Self Affirmation Theory of
Heath Psychology. Despite the negative psychological impacts and stressful nature of the
situation, it can be concluded that Anila can cope with the issue of her son’s departure by
exercising problem-focused, emotion-focused and occupation-focused coping strategies.

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