Introduction
Examination of human behavior and the influence of trauma and stress on a person’s mental well-being is essential. The case that will be further analyzed involves a 36-year-old female, Sasha, who has experienced verbal and physical abuse. Such situations frequently resulted in occasional police intervention. Her partner’s oppression may have shaped Sasha’s lifestyle, values, and cultural conventions. Thus, the young woman requires cognitive interventions to address both conscious and subconscious responses, which can be evaluated through the application of systems and attachment theories, a strengths-based intervention approach, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Theories of Human Behavior
Systems Theory
First, before delving deeper into therapeutic approaches that can help Sasha navigate through her mental struggles, it is vital to determine the theories that will best apply to her individual situation and set the foundation for her overall issue. In Sasha’s case, the system theory will help identify the woman’s current condition in terms of mental state. This method helps understand how people behave and focuses on connections within families as well as between them and the environments in which they are situated (Watson, 2012).
Systems theory has been applied in various institutions, educational systems, and community settings, facilitating discussions on polarized disagreements, promoting serious conversations, and aiding cognitive therapy and couples counseling (Watson, 2012). This wide range of contexts supports the view that this method can be effective in addressing mental health issues. In the example with Sasha, systems theory will help a therapist focus on the bigger picture.
This approach can be used effectively because a person’s functioning is influenced less by internal psychological factors and more by the systems of which they are a part. Therefore, with the help of this approach, it can be confirmed that the problems that Sasha is experiencing are the direct result of abuse on the part of her husband. Other family members can be excluded as a negative influence, as the case study did not reveal any harmful relationships with them.
As a result, when working with Sasha, it will be possible to trace and analyze the interactions within her immediate family, excluding her parents. However, to gain a complete picture, specialists should conduct a more detailed study of her parents and other close relatives. This measure is necessary to gain knowledge about issues that could affect the psychological state of the woman.
Therefore, there are many reasons why such a theory is the most optimal reason in Sasha’s circumstances. This strategy is best shown by Salvador Minuchin’s example, who made the ground-breaking claim that he treated anorexic families instead of young people with anorexia. According to Minuchin’s theory, dysfunctional family boundaries are a cause of psychopathology (Kerig, 2011). That is why, when analyzing Sasha’s case and trying to find the root of the problem, it can be useful to examine her relationships with her parents, since the household’s ideology may be the cause.
Henceforth, it can be observed that her parents divorced without pointing to any further details. It can be speculated that they attempted to save the marriage for the child’s sake, which could later influence Sasha’s perception of the marriage. Thus, systems theory suggests that when addressing a problem, it is essential to consider not only the small details but also the broader context.
Transactional Analysis
Transactional analysis is an additional theory that helps explain human behavior, one of the modern psychodynamic approaches that evolved from the ideas of psychoanalysis. Such approaches set themselves the task of disassembling the human psyche into structures. It is suggested that a person’s behavior in communicating with themselves or others depends on which ego state communication comes from (Ahmadzadeh et al., 2019). While there are many benefits to this theory, several shortcomings exist that do not provide an opportunity to apply it to the case under study.
The main reason is that Sasha does not meet the criteria of a person who exhibits a high level of awareness. She cannot fully reflect on the events in her life and how they have affected and are reflected in her behavior now. In addition, transactional analysis is challenging in this case, as it requires a high degree of self-awareness and the ability to examine and recognize one’s attitude for analysis. This argument is supported by the case study information, which indicates that Sasha has problems with learning.
In contrast, the systems approach enables one to assess the situation based on the elements of the environment, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of the situation. Thus, transactional analysis cannot contradict system theory, since this approach is not limited to the patient’s direct feedback and can collect data that will make a greater contribution to understanding the issues Sasha has encountered.
Models of Human Development
Attachment Theory
There is no debate that attachment theory has evolved into one of the most essential models in the field of psychology following its introduction decades ago. This model aims to explain why children feel emotionally connected to their caregivers, but it quickly broadened in scope to cover other issues. Attachment theory can be applied to evaluate adult relationships, understand the causes of neurodevelopmental stability and change, address learning psychiatric problems, and address issues related to childcare, child welfare, divorce, and public policy (Thompson et al., 2022). Therefore, this approach can be applied in the case of Sasha, as it aligns with her age and stage of psychological and mental development. It can help explain not only a woman’s behavior but also provide insight into her reactions to physical and emotional abuse.
From Sasha’s experience, one can see that, as a child, she lived with two parents who communicated well. However, it is essential to understand parent-child interactions to determine Sasha’s attachment style. Theoretically, there are grounds to believe that children who have had their needs met in a sensitive and accommodating manner may eventually develop the ability to respond to others’ needs with empathy.
Nevertheless, Sasha’s parents have separated and have not lived together for a long time, which suggests that, as a child, she may not have received enough attention. This circumstance could have given rise to an unhealthy type of attachment, which was subsequently carried into the patient’s adult life. Therefore, it can be useful to examine Sasha’s experience with her parents to determine her attachment style and understand how she processes information about and connects with other people.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
On the contrary, the model of human behavior that might not be applicable is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. According to this theory, human needs have levels from more straightforward to higher (Hopper, 2020). At the same time, Maslow himself noted that there are often exceptions to this rule: for some people, the need for self-actualization may be more important than the need for love. This can occur in situations where people stop at the level of lower requirements, not feeling interested in higher standards, even when the lower standards are met (Shi & Lin, 2021). Thus, aberrations from normal human behavior occur due to highly unfavorable external circumstances.
Regarding the case study under examination, the main problem is that there is no reliable measure of satisfaction with human needs. Therefore, it will be challenging to use this method, as Sasha’s subjective assessment may be compromised due to the patient’s mental incapacity. Moreover, studying the consequences and impact of the abuse experienced in a woman’s family requires studying not only the needs, internal and external factors that led to the problem. Individual needs may differ for everyone, and attachment theory would be a better model to evaluate Sasha’s behavior and explain why she stayed in the relationship with her husband for so long.
Approaches
Motivational Interviewing
The use of the motivational interviewing approach can help during the intervention. Motivational interviewing aims to help patients overcome their resistance to making behavioral changes. The strategy relies on a subtle negotiating process in which the patient, rather than the practitioner, articulates the rewards and challenges associated with the patient’s desire to change (Abughosh et al., 2019). Therefore, it can be effectively applied to victims of emotional and physical violence like Sasha, as it will gradually explore and uncover the problems of a woman without causing excessive stress and pressure.
One of the cornerstones of this method is the understanding that disagreements are counterproductive. Additionally, it highlights that the most effective outcomes result from close collaboration between the patient and the therapist (Skene, 2021). This method works well and can be applied to other interventions, such as trauma-informed practice interventions (Waller et al., 2020).
Correction of Sasha’s mental issue will be conducted using coercion, kindness, and respect to encourage her to want to make improvements. A significant role in this intervention is played by the need to build a trusting relationship with a specialist with whom a woman will work, as she will be more open to changes in this context. This is done specifically to motivate Sasha to elevate the significance of change and to support her belief that change is possible.
Strengths-Based Intervention
On the contrary, a strengths-based intervention approach might be less suitable for Sasha. It can be defined as a philosophy and a way of viewing clients as resourceful and resilient in the face of adversity (Nelson-Becker et al., 2020). It is customer-oriented and focused on future results and the strengths that people bring to a problem or crisis. Moreover, this method is less critical of the result or what people achieve, and instead focuses on how they solve issues. This aspect also demonstrates that this approach cannot be applied in the case under consideration, as Sasha requires the assistance of a professional to find effective solutions to the problem.
The patient has been in abusive relationships for too long and may be traumatized due to the divorce of her parents, which has caused her inability to cope on her own. The goal of the strengths-based intervention approach is to contribute to improving the outcomes and quality of life for individuals. However, it is essential to recognize that not all approaches that yield the best results are based on strengths (Nelson-Becker et al., 2020). This approach is irrelevant in the case of Sasha because it is more supportive of an existing reset. Such a method can be applied when she has achieved specific results in increasing self-esteem and independence.
Model of Intervention
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be defined as a form of psychological therapy that helps individuals recognize and change harmful or distressing thinking patterns that negatively impact their behavior and emotions. Some people tend to feel pessimistic and unable to address difficulties when under pressure (Nakao et al., 2021). CBT can be used in Sasha’s case, as it encourages more rational thinking to increase coping skills with stress.
This is especially true in the case of domestic violence, when the victim is unable to critically assess what is happening or has mental problems like Sasha. Therefore, considering that Sasha faces challenges in learning and processing information, it can be beneficial to incorporate CBT as a means of guiding the patient and helping them recognize their true responses and behaviors.
CBT concentrates on current issues and how to solve them. It does not focus heavily on the past, unlike psychoanalysis. Dealing with present problems is significantly more critical in cognitive behavioral therapy. Helping individuals assist themselves is of utmost importance since they should be able to function normally again without the need for treatment (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, 2022). This does not imply that the impact of the past is totally disregarded in CBT.
In Sasha’s case, the primary focus will be on recognizing and modifying persistent, painful thinking and behavioral patterns. Different techniques are employed in analytical psychotherapy, which has its roots in traditional Freudian psychoanalysis. Ultimately, the therapist should aim to help the patient identify issues and their underlying causes. Moreover, for Sasha, CBT would be helpful in terms of seeing herself from a different perspective and assessing the situation along with her feelings.
In general, CBT is applied in circumstances when treating mental health issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and addictions (Moorey & Hollon, 2021). Considering the pressure and stress Sasha experienced, it might be likely for her to develop anxiety or even PTSD. Still, cognitive behavioral therapy will require the patient’s commitment and own initiative.
The main criterion for the success of this approach of working with Sasha as a victim of abuse is active participation in the treatment process. A woman should show the slightest progress by working on her problems between sessions. This can pose a major difficulty, especially if Sasha has severe conditions and issues that might include depression or anxiety disorders (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, 2022). In this case, the patient may require additional prescribed medications to help alleviate the acute symptoms quickly.
Solution-Oriented Short-Term Therapy
As for the model of intervention, the least optimal is solution-oriented short-term therapy. Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a method of psychological assistance developed in the US by psychotherapists Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, along with a group of their colleagues (De Shazer et al., 2021). Unlike several other psychotherapeutic schools, solution-oriented short-term therapy was not created based on theoretical positions, but rather on the actions and questions that specialists found to be the most valuable and effective for clients (De Shazer et al., 2021).
The solution-oriented approach is based on finding and creating solutions rather than analyzing and finding the causes of problems. The focus is on solutions, hopes, resources, strengths, and positive exceptions. It is unnecessary to spend a long time researching the causes of its occurrence to solve the problem. This type of therapy is practical and functional, offering hope for change, regardless of the degree of difficulty or severity of the problems. In the case of Sasha, this approach could be helpful, but she requires a more comprehensive solution, as her problems have deeper origins in her cognitive and behavioral motivations. A short-term solution will not solve her problems, but deep cognitive behavioral therapy can.
The reason this intervention will not yield positive results for Sasha is that it does not emphasize the necessity of identifying causal relationships between trauma and response, or experience and behavior. Here, this approach will be irrelevant since the patient needs to understand their behavior and be guided through the process of understanding their emotions and attitudes. Without it, the results will not be meaningful to Sasha, and the entire process will ultimately be of no benefit. In other words, Sasha will not see the point in the intervention when she is only given answers without addressing other factors.
Reflection
Finally, the research reveals information on the side effects of therapy, primarily cognitive behavioral therapy. Relationships may deteriorate as a result of having to face issues head-on initially, which can be quite distressing (McKenna et al., 2020). If any issues arise during treatment, it is essential to be open and transparent with your psychotherapist. Therefore, this illustrates how carefully a therapist should be in their initiatives and communication to avoid harming the client.
Moreover, upon reviewing other models, I paid attention to the crisis intervention model. According to the crisis intervention model, navigating stressful situations and crises is a normal part of maturation (Kanel, 2019). Examination and crisis response are often beneficial for those who have experienced traumatic situations (Kanel, 2019). Thus, it is vital to learn how to assess the situation and its danger, as well as how to respond to such situations. In my future research, considering the details mentioned above, I would concentrate on both subconscious and conscious factors, such as focusing on the reaction to the crisis and reviewing one’s personal attitudes.
The main impact is the accentuation of the need to enhance my knowledge of the individuality of patients and unique approaches. Conducting this case study provided me with the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge regarding various theories and methods that can be used with the victims of abuse. Moreover, I realized the importance of an individualized approach to each person, which should be based on the personal and psychological characteristics of the individual, as well as on observing family relationships and the history of possible diseases and deviant behaviors in relatives. These external and internal factors significantly contribute to the formation of the human psyche and its relationships, and if this influence is negative, it requires a timely solution.
Conclusion
To conclude, the young woman’s need for cognitive treatments to manage conscious and subconscious reactions can be assessed through the combined application of several models: systems theory, attachment theory, a strengths-based approach, and CBT. Systems theory demonstrates that it is essential to consider both the big picture and the little details while solving an issue.
Moreover, attachment theory may be the most suitable model for understanding the significance of Sasha’s emotions. During the intervention, the use of the motivational interviewing technique might be beneficial. Motivational Interviewing is designed to address a patient’s resistance to changing their behavior. Additionally, considering Sasha’s challenges with learning and processing information, CBT can be employed to help her recognize her genuine responses and behaviors.
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