Showing posts with label Risk and Protective. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Risk and Protective. Show all posts

Monday, November 21, 2011

RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS

Any substance use disorder is a biopsychosocial phenomenon with risk and protective at these various levels interacting. At the biological level, Koren did not have a familial history of alcoholism. She also possessed a number of social influences that were protective. She came from a middle-to upper class two-parent household, and her parents were supportive. She was a good student in school and was involved in variety of extra-curricular activities, such as ballet camp, horseback riding, piano lessons, young writers, and diplomacy camp. Koren maintained a religious connection (Catholic) and attended Sunday School. On the risk side, her parents were fairly permissive about teenage experimentation and the use of alcohol. Psychologically, Koren struggled to fit in with her peers and drinking provided that venue.

These issues only intensified when she started college. Depression, anxiety and loneliness spurred the use of drinking to cope. The college environment was also conducive to alcohol as a way of socializing.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Risk and Resilience

Assessing a person from a risk and resilience framework helps see both the risk and the strengths and offers a more balanced appraisal. PROZAC DIARY does not emphasize strengths and resources; it is written in language symbolic of Lauren’s depression. Indeed, Lauren states that her creative writing is inspired by her depression; therefore, it is weighted to this account. Despite this slant, Lauren presents with many protective factors, as well as risk.

Risk and Resilience Assessment for the Onset of Depression

RISK

*Biological Factors
Female gender
Family history of mental illness

*Social Factors
Emotional abuse by Lauren’s mother (harsh and critical)
Parental divorce (not clear when this occurred relative to depression but assumed it was before depression started)

PROTECTIVE

*Psychological Factors
Leadership as a class president and leader of the school band (before age 12)

*Social Factors
Financial well-being
Participation in extra-curricular activities (music, dance, ice-skating, horseback riding)

Risk and Resilience Assessment for the Course (Adjustment or Recovery) of the Depression

RISK

*Biological Factors
Early onset

*Psychological Factors
Multiple episodes (and hospitalizations)
Residual symptoms
Co-morbid disorders (history of anorexia and cutting; current presence of obsessive-compulsive disorder)

*Social Factors
Lack of social support network
Poor employment history

PROTECTIVE

*Biological Factors
Intelligence

*Psychological Factors
Insight
Creativity (writing)

*Social Factors
Educated (bachelor’s degree from prestigious university
Financial support from family (this is assumed)