Introduction
Each age period is characterized by changes that occur due to physical and psychological processes and environmental influences. At the same time, adulthood is not considered enough because of the misbelief that the least significant transformations characterize this period. However, it is vital to note that adulthood is a time of continuous change and growth. A person’s development during it undoubtedly depends on resolving problems of previous periods. The reasons for the adults’ identity crisis include the dynamics of generational change, work specifics, the characteristics of communication with society, and physical aspects. This paper will consider cognitive, physical, and psychological aspects of adult health through the case study of Beth, a client requiring socialization and cardiovascular improvement. The assignment will focus on crisis resolution by applying physical and psychosocial theories. Thus, the primary goal is to develop recommendations for appropriate behavior and activities in which the client can restore her identity in a new environment and achieve the desired goals.
Client Development and Needs
Client Summary
Brief information about the client:
- Client Name: Beth
- Age: 58 years
- Age: Middle-aged (40-65 years old)
- Client Goal: To improve cardiovascular fitness, socialize, and expand her circle of friends
- Theories or key concepts applicable to the client
- Physical: Gallahue Theory
- Cognitive: Piaget’s theory
- Psychosocial: Erikson’s theory
Current Development and Needs
Concentrating on the client’s needs and abilities is necessary to provide the basis for making recommendations. In people who have reached middle adulthood, of which Beth is a representative, there is a relative decrease in the characteristics of psychophysical functions (Abbott 2021). However, this does not affect the cognitive functioning of people of this age. According to Piaget, this age does not reduce their ability to work and allows to keep working and creative activities (Abbott 2021). At the same time, Beth reduced her work as an administrative assistant, and this caused an increased need for socialization, communication and, equally important, physical activity.
Beth had a high level of socialization in the previous stages of development. Still, at the moment, she is far away from her family and has stopped participating in social life. It, in turn, is the cause of problems in psychosocial development. It is equally important to consider the physical aspects of health, particularly osteoarthritis and cardiovascular concerns. Beth had stopped playing volleyball, and the lack of physical activity caused difficulties, including insecurity and loss of shape. Despite successfully passing the previous stages of development, the patient now has pronounced concerns, among which the physical and psychosocial are particularly acute.
The current situation without interventions can cause deepening feelings of loneliness, stress and depression. The desire of a middle-aged person like Beth to act without delay and immediately get the result changes the motivation structure, shifting its constituent components toward the satisfaction of exacerbating needs (Beauchamp et al. 2019). Among them are the realization of potential and the adjustment of activity regarding possible stagnation and missed opportunities. In the context of these changes, there is a general comprehension and reassessment of life, the adjustment of the established system of values in three related spheres: personal, environmental and professional (Rhodes et al. 2019). Abrupt social and life changes in any of these spheres, such as early retirement and reduction of public activity, can cause a motivational crisis. After assessing the specifics of the client’s main complaints and goals, the most rational option is to focus on the psychosocial and physical aspects of development, which correlates with Beth’s goals.
Movement is an indispensable part of human life at any age because every action is associated with it. In the context of this statement, Golahue’s theory is of particular value. It is based on the concept that the complete set of motor skills results from a multi-component set of physical activities (Berk 2017). This theory applies to Beth’s case because focused physical activity, with feedback and a motivational component, can improve her general well-being and increase her confidence level. The client has already undergone previous stages of physical development. Moreover, they were successful because she actively participated in the local sports community.
At the same time, there are no visible concerns about resuming physical activity. The only hindrance is the lack of knowledge to choose a proper activity. The idea is likewise founded on the point that the principal segments of biological health are aerobic and athletic perseverance, flexibility, and equilibrium (Beauchamp et al. 2019). Thus, this theory is significant for Beth because its implementation will contribute to the proper choice and balance between the development of innate skills and the physiological limits of the person.
It is equally important to outline a theory for developing the client’s psycho-emotional aspect. Of particular relevance in the context of this case study is Erikson’s theory of personality development. It emphasizes that ego identity is formed in parallel with the group identity, which creates in the subject a sense of stability and a continuing sense of identity that the client needs (Berk 2017). Each stage of human development corresponds to its societal expectations, which Beth passed and met. However, Beth stopped participating in community activities at one point, which negatively affected her condition. Lack of confidence is the client’s central problem in further development. However, the situation can change dramatically as theories emphasize that identity development is a lifelong process.
Constraints Applicable to Client
Table 1: Summary of Constraints Affecting Client
The need for family is a natural personal factor, which is particularly heightened with age. Lack of communication with relatives is especially acute for Beth because she does not live close to her family, and distance separates her from her goals (Table 1). Moreover, it is important to note that this factor is a limiter, as it aggravates the psycho-emotional state of a person, already losing the usual circle of daily communication. With the reduced working hours and social activities, Beth’s social world has narrowed, and her attention is limited mainly to family, neighbours, and a few friends. Thus, numerous connections are lost, highlighting the role of family. The strength of relatives’ connections may be eliminated in the medium term, but it is not straightforward to predict since the factor depends on financial stability (Abbott 2021). Nevertheless, the presence of family, children, grandchildren, and the family condition greatly affects the social satisfaction of the client, and the current situation requires intervention.
Furthermore, concerning the case, one can highlight such occupational factors as a tense work environment. Beth has been known to gradually limit her work hours even though her age allows her to handle the previous schedule. It may be due to the stress of the job, which is typical of the school administrator’s profession. This factor is likewise a limiter that influences everyday life. Stresses, especially if they are frequent and prolonged, harm psychological state and physical health (Berk 2017). Constant stress in the workplace that Beth was experiencing may have caused musculoskeletal and cardiovascular disease. It is long-term, as the strain is undoubtedly already taking its toll on the body, and the effects cannot be eliminated (Beauchamp et al. 2019). It is, however, necessary to stimulate social needs, which will help to bring the patient out of the desire for isolation and establish satisfactory human relations.
Inextricably linked is the other occupational factor, which consists of financial difficulties due to limited working hours. Loss aversion is a cognitive distortion, which explains why the pain of loss is psychologically several times greater than the pleasure of acquisition or gain. Financial insecurity is common to almost everyone, but in Beth’s case, it directly affects her inability to fulfil her need for companionship. This problem is limiting and long-lasting because the anxiety does not disappear even if the money problem is solved (Abbott 2021). Stress is the main mechanism that turns a lack of resources into a physiological problem.
It is likewise necessary to focus on a personal health factor, osteochondrosis. This concern is a limiter and cannot be eliminated, indicating long-term negative consequences. With the gradual decrease in the quality of life and health, unhealthy labour, and bad ecology, individuals start hiding lax attitudes toward themselves through constant employment (Rhodes et al. 2019). It becomes a reason for numerous health issues, among which osteochondrosis is common. The consequences of osteochondrosis, which develops in a person over the years, lead to serious physical disabilities (Abbott 2021). Beth noted this diagnosis caused other diseases because the spine is responsible for virtually all body functions and serves as a framework for the internal organs. With the progression of osteochondrosis, the pain will only increase and, over time, will bring more discomfort; therefore, the client needs to resume physical activity.
In considering Beth’s case, it is equally important to mention another personal factor: a lack of confidence. Self-confidence is a special property of the personality, which is summarized from several psychological aspects. At its core is a positive assessment of one’s skills and abilities sufficient to achieve goals and meet needs (Beauchamp et al. 2019). Beth noted that she has been insecure lately, which can be a reason for not participating in social life, as in many cases, with people who do not believe in their abilities. Insecurity is a manifestation of phobia, a significant reaction to external or internal stimuli, and a limiter (Abbott 2021). The fact is that the individual subconsciously clings to stability and a predictable state of affairs. This tendency especially increases with age, although there are exceptions. Uncertainty interferes with an adequate assessment of one’s abilities. However, this factor may be short-termed, as it can be altered by partially resuming the active way of life.
The last definite factor related to the environment is the presence of thresholds in the home. It directly affects Beth as she notes a loss of balance and frequent stumbling in the house. A balance disorder is a momentary or permanent inability to control the body’s position in space. It is a limiter and can be either short or long-term, depending on its cause (Abbott 2021). Although the presence of this factor may not seem serious, the presence of minor obstacles in the home can greatly affect the client’s condition; therefore, these features must also be considered.
Current Exercise Prescription Guidelines and Literature Applicable to the Client
There are several ways to meet the client’s goals while positively impacting the health. The principal pieces of physical health are power, flexibility, coordination and balance (Beauchamp et al. 2019). For the balanced development of physical skills, sports aimed at general body development are the most prominent approach. Sports activities must be physiological and aimed at the expansion of natural motor mastery completed within the physiological boundaries of the person to accomplish a health-promoting outcome.
Firstly, it is significant to focus on the guidelines that emphasize the role and benefits of gymnastics with adults, particularly those with cardiovascular system disorders. Developmental gymnastics is a moderately contemporary sporting tendency developed for adults’ congruous biological and psychological evolution (British Gymnastics 2020). Training in this format takes place in groups, offers great opportunities for socialization, and combines the health benefits of sports with moderate exercise. The peculiarity of the format lies in the non-competitive and entertaining nature of the classes, which encourages people to discover their potential and make new acquaintances (British Gymnastics 2020). Developmental gymnastics is universal for both physically and mentally wholesome grown-up males and females and those with exceptional necessities.
Furthermore, the literature has numerous incredibly effective and simple exercises to improve heart function. Usually, experts advise cardio exercises to stimulate the cardiovascular system because they strengthen the most important organ of a person (Barbosa 2019). It does not matter what age a person is because these exercises are ideal for any age category. Such a recommendation as swimming in groups deserves special attention. The client can strengthen and tighten all muscle groups with regular swimming lessons. By its effect on the body, swimming is similar to cardio exercises (Barbosa 2019). That is why it can be deservedly called one of the most effective practices to improve the heart. Moreover, being in the enveloping water provokes calm and meditative emotions and is an activity that can act as a stress tamer (Barbosa 2019). It is an excellent way to socialize and make new friends, corresponding to the client’s needs.
Recommended Actions to Improve Engagement in Activity
Social development is the cornerstone of the emergence and formation of personality. From a certain position, it can be argued that a person exists only concerning other people, or a personality can exist only as a reflected subjectivity in other people. It is borne out by the consequences seen in the social deprivation of the individual and the epiphenomena experienced by the client in this case. Therefore, it is socialization, of which physical exercise of a certain kind is the main recommendation for Beth. It is particularly important to emphasize the need to pay attention to exercise and group developmental gymnastics as the two sports that must satisfy the case’s conditions. Moreover, considering the client’s difficulties, it is possible to recommend additional, stress-free occupations. Since Beth has reduced her primary job hours, she has time for other activities that can be profitable, allowing her to see more of her family. Adulthood is about her developmental period, and successfully navigating the previous stages will help the client overcome the challenges.
References
Abbott, Tina. 2021. Social and Personality Development. Abingdon.: Routledge.
Barbosa, Tiago. 2019. “Skillful Swimming in Age-groups is Determined by Anthropometrics, Biomechanics and Energetics.” Frontiers in physiology 10 (2): 73. Web.
Beauchamp, Mark R., Kaitlin L. Crawford, and Ben Jackson. 2019. “Social Cognitive Theory and Physical Activity: Mechanisms of Behavior Change, Critique, and Legacy.” Psychology of Sport and Exercise 42 (2): 110-117. Web.
Berk, Laura E. 2017. Development through the Lifespan. New York.: Pearson Australia Ltd.
British Gymnastics. 2020. “Adult Gumnastics: A Guide to Support the Development of Adults.” Gymnastics Support: 1–11.
Rhodes, Ryan E., Desmond McEwan, and Amanda L. Rebar. 2019. “Theories of Physical Activity Behaviour Change: A History and Synthesis of Approaches.” Psychology of Sport and Exercise 42 (20): 100-109. Web.