Sociology: Psychosocial Model for Mental Health Assessment

This sociology case study employs the psychosocial model to assess and develop an intervention plan for a 32-year-old divorcee named Jane, who is experiencing mental health issues and suicidal ideation. The assessment plan utilizes the psychosocial model's biological, psychological, and social components to understand Jane's situation, considering her history of abuse, current living situation, and mental state. The intervention plan includes cognitive therapy, counseling sessions, and group sessions aimed at addressing Jane's trauma and improving her mental well-being. The study evaluates the effectiveness of the psychosocial model in this context, acknowledging its strengths in providing a holistic assessment but also noting its limitations in differentiating between positive and negative behaviors. This document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wide range of study tools and resources for students.

Sociology
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Assessment Plan.........................................................................................................................4
Intervention Plan........................................................................................................................7
Evaluation and Conclusion........................................................................................................9
Reference List..........................................................................................................................10
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Introduction
Sociology covers a vast range of subjects, which pertain to subjects related to the
development of human society. This subject also includes the topics, which are related to the
mental health of the individuals. Mental health forms an integral part of human society and
given rise to a wide range of topics such as psychiatric sociology. The study will take into
consideration the various models, which are used by the social worker to assess and evaluate
the mental health issue faced by Jane. This study aims to establish a comprehensive
understanding of the various problems, which are faced by various sufferers of mental
disorders. The study will make the utilization of the psychosocial model for a viable
understanding of the assessment taken for Jane by the social worker. Hence, the study will
assess and evaluate the range of mental health disorders prevalent in human society.
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Assessment Plan
An assessment plan will be taken into consideration to comprehend the various issues
suffered by the patient. The psychosocial model will be used to understand the mental health
issues suffered by a large set of individuals in society. Hence, the case story of Jane will be
utilised by the social worker to procure an authentic assessment of the individual in human
society. The psychosocial model will be used to corroborate the main reason behind the
reason for Jane’s mental issues. This psychosocial assessment will be the critical evaluation
of the individual’s mental health, functioning and social status in the society (Healy, 2014).
The psychosocial model comprises of the biological (disabilities, genetic weakness and
physical health of the individual), psychological (IQ, self-esteem, mood and temperament,
coping skills, family, mental trauma) and social (drug usage, peer assessment and family
problems). This model is used to cover the mental state of the individual who is a part of
human society. Therefore, the social worker will make the use of the model to create a viable
assessment plan.
Client’s name/Personal details
Jane is a 32-year-old divorcee subjected to mental issues and developed ideation of suicidal
tendency. Therefore, the social worker has applied the use of the psychosocial model to
comprehend the client Jane. She is the victim of broken marriage for 5 years and has been
subjected to physical violence and abuse. Her mother and brother reside in the western
suburbs. Jane conceived a daughter when she was 16 years old. She works as a shop assistant
in the supermarket. Presently, Jane resides with her boyfriend and a fifteen-year-old daughter
in a two-unit bedroom.
Reason for initial referral
Jane has been subjected to the initial referral as she was subjected an argument with her
boyfriend and exhibited the behaviour of suicidal tendency. This comes under her
psychological unit of the psychosocial model. Her mental state and temperament are affected
due to her experiences.
Client’s rights and responsibilities explained
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Jane is a part of society and is subjected to rights and responsibilities as being a citizen of the
country. Therefore, her rights cannot be breached nor underestimated by the country. The
basic rights that is Jane possessing as an individual, comprises of Australian Human Rights
Commission Act 1986. Jane is entitled to the fundamental rights as a citizen, and will not be
discriminated even on a social platter. They are equally viable to have social interaction and
attain valuable relationships. It is the responsibility of the Australian Government to develop
programs for the awareness of society towards mental health sufferers (Acharya et al., 2017).
Jane is also subjected to have access to all the services and various opportunities provided by
the government.
Summary of the client’s situation and strengths:
The present situation of Jane reflects her mental health issue, which is unstable, and she is
unable to answer some questions. She is subjected to agitation and is prone to the ideation of
suicidal temperament. With the use of the psychosocial model, her temperament can be
assessed under the social and psychological strata. According to Jane, her strengths were her
boyfriend and daughter, as she possesses a viable relationship with them.
Short term and long term goals identified during the assessment phase by the client
The assessment phase carries a short-term plan by comprehending the mental state of Jane
through the integration of the psychosocial model. Jane is not stable to identify any such
goals in the process of her assessment plan (O'Hara and Pockett, 2011).
Potential Risks/management strategies
There are potential risks, which could be faced by the social worker during the assessment of
Jane. To manage these risks, the social worker would take into confidence the use of the
Clinical Risk management. This strategy would safeguard the safety of the patient.
Support already in place
The support, which is already in progress, comprises the utilisation of the psychosocial model
to comprehend the mental health treatment of the individual.
Suitability to service
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Jane would be aided by the social worker in the hospital and will be provided treatment after
comprehending the mental framework of Jane. She will be provided treatment and will
undergo monitoring and assessment test by the social worker.
Proposed support options/Possible strategies/timeframes
Jane could also opt for the utilisation of a timeframe to track her progress during her
treatment. She would be provided with support from caregivers and given intensive care to
recover from her traumatic past.
Additional referrals
There are no additional referrals in the case history of the client Jane, subjected for the
assessment in the hospital (O'Hara and Pockett, 2011).
Review/ monitoring process
The mental health care department will monitor the client for the treatment. Hence, the social
worker would make the use of the attained information through the model for the better
assistance of the client.
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Intervention Plan
An intervention plan will be drawn up to outline the various measures taken by the social
worker to monitor the progress of the Jane. This plan will be used with the inclusion of the
psychosocial models. It would track the progress of the patient and make the use of the model
to cater to the patient’s biological, psychological and social needs (Howe, 2002). The patient
will be given therapy such as counselling or cognitive therapy for the recovery from a
traumatic situation.
According to the psychosocial model, the three components that should be taken into
consideration comprise of biological, social and psychological needs (Martin, 2016). Jane had
a vile past and had mental instability via the psychological strata of the model. Therefore,
Jane would be counselled by the therapists and given group sessions to recover from the past.
Hence, while keeping the biological psychological and social needs of Jane in mind, an
intervention plan would be drawn up. Before plunging into the intervention, a brief history of
the patient will be followed up with the integration of the psychosocial model.
Biological: Jane is subjected to the traumatic relationship and is vulnerable. To counter and
aid the patient, there will be the inclusion of cognitive therapy, which would emphasize her
thoughts as an individual.
Psychological: Jane’s coping skill and ideation about her life are suicidal. She exhibits low
self-esteem and possesses an agitated temperament. Hence, the social worker would include
group session and individual counselling.
Social: Her social sphere seems to be complex as she has been a survivor of physical and
verbal abuse. Being a victim of a broken marriage, she is unable to have viable social
interaction with the individuals. Hence, the social worker would work a favourable plan
while keeping these in mind.
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Figure 1: Psychosocial Model
(Source: Samaritan, 2018)
Intervention Plan
There would be cognitive therapy and counselling sessions given to Jane for some months,
to help her recover from bad experiences (Pockett, 2011). Cognitive therapy would be a long-
term plan and aid the patient. Group sessions would also have a positive impact on the
growth of the individual. This plan is aimed to maintain a viable plan for Jane. Hence, this
intervention plan will lay special emphasis on improving the mental state of the individual.
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Evaluation and Conclusion
The utilisation of the psychosocial model is appropriate for the reference to this particular
case study. This model is helpful as it outlines the mental state and perception of Jane. It also
caters to comprehending the various areas that have an impact on the projection of behaviour
by Jane. The model is also authentic, as it has catered to the various areas, which concern the
individual’s thought process. In the critical assessment, the model has also laid out the case
history of the patient and catered to the traumatic experiences of the individual. However,
there are a few shortcomings of the model as it fails to trigger the difference between positive
and negative behaviour. It takes into consideration the various social factors, which might
become impractical for the mental health care patients. Hence, with the use of the model, the
social service worker can comprehend the situation of the individual.
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Reference List
Acharya, B., Maru, D., Schwarz, R., Citrin, D., Tenpa, J., Hirachan, S., Basnet, M., Thapa,
P., Swar, S., Halliday, S. and Kohrt, B., 2017. Partnerships in mental healthcare service
delivery in low-resource settings: developing an innovative network in rural
Nepal. Globalization and health, 13(1), p.2. Globalization and Health seminar, Nepal
Healy, K., 2014. Social work theories in context: Creating frameworks for practice.
Macmillan International Higher Education. Creating Frameworks for Practice, UK
Howe, D., 2002. Psychosocial Work in Adams, R., Dominelli, L. and Payne, M., Social
work: themes, issues & critical debates, 2nd edn, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.
McMillan publishers limited, UK
Martin, A., Karanika‐Murray, M., Biron, C. and Sanderson, K., 2016. The psychosocial work
environment, employee mental health and organizational interventions: Improving research
and practice by taking a multilevel approach. Stress and health, 32(3), pp.201-215. This is a
non-final version of an article published in final form in: Martin, A., Karanika-Murray, M.,
Biron, C., & Sanderson, K. (2014). Invited article: The psychosocial work environment,
employee mental health, and organizational interventions: Improving research and practice
by taking a multilevel approach. Stress & Health (online first). doi: 10.1002/smi.2593
O'Hara, A. and Pockett, R., 2011. Skills for human service practice. Oxford University Press
Australia and New Zealand. Oxford University Press, Australia.
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