Posted: August 1st, 2023

Mental Health Assesment

Cognitive Factors
You are the social worker for Joe’s family and are tasked with completing an assessment on the family.

What are all of the cognitive factors involved, for each family member?
How might these cognitive factors influence family dynamics?
How might these cognitive factors influence biological or societal systems with which they are involved?
Response Guidelines

O’Hara, R., Macaulay, S., Dewis, J., Marx, L. (Producers), & Whaley, F. (Director). (1999). Joe the King [Motion picture]. United States: 49th Parallel, Forensic/291 Films, Lower East Side Films.
Mental Health Assesment
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Mental Health Assesment
What are all of the biological factors in play for each family member?
According to the case study, Joe’s family is undergoing mental abuse, especially the fourteen-year-old boy Joe Henry who struggles to survive in the hands of abusive and drunkard parents. The childhood experiences that Joe went through make him more sensitive and unable to face life (O’Hara,et,al.,1999). The biological factors in the play affecting the family members are hormonal levels during puberty, gender, and brain chemistry.
Mike and Joe are affected by hormonal changes during puberty, as well as psychological changes. The psychological and hormonal changes make the boys insecure about their parents occupations and affects their social lives. On the other hand, Bob Henry is known for anger issues and alcoholism, and aggression is caused by a male hormonal issue, hence a biological issue. Alcohol addiction is also a physical issue, which is considered inter-generational (O’Hara,et,al.,1999). The alcohol addiction also changes Bob’s brain chemistry, making him withdrawn when they are not taking the drug. As a mother and a woman, Theresa undergoes hormonal changes, such as those associated with post postpartum depression. Also, Theresa experiences anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder, which Henry’s drinking behavior has caused. Additionally, Theresa’s psychological problems make her abusive and an emotionally absent parent to Joe and Mike.

How might these biological factors influence family dynamics?
The biological influences the family’s mental status, for instance, Joe Kings is forced to carry the family’s emotional, psychological, and financial burden on his shoulders. The mental health issues of father and the mother affect Mike and Joe’s development process, hence growing up as misguided, confused, and neglected brought up to survive on their own (Levey, 2020). The factors also affect the relationship between the parents, which is essential for children to emulate.
How might these biological factors interact with relevant psychological or societal systems?
The biological factors, however, interact with psychological or societal systems by influencing behaviors. Joe grew up in a dysfunctional societal structure, which leads to the development of criminal behaviors resulting from pressure from parents and other people in society (Levey, 2020). For instance, Joe was bullied in school by the teacher and friends who made a fan of his parent’s occupations. When biological factors interact with dysfunctional societal systems, the trauma becomes big, affecting the individual’s mental health, such as in the case of Joe, Mike, Theresa, and Bob Henery. On the other hand, Bon Henry’s alcoholism, which may be a result of brain chemistry, affects his relationship with the children and the wife due to his violent behavior. On the other hand, Theresa’s anxiety, PTSD, and stress affect her relationship with Joe and Mike, especially being an absent parent to Joe.

References
Levey, L. (2020). Sequence Co-Chairs Dr. Jill Becker Feigeles.
O’Hara, R., Macaulay, S., Dewis, J., Marx, L. (Producers), & Whaley, F. (Director). (1999). Joe the King [Motion picture]. United States: 49th Parallel, Forensic/291 Films, Lower East Side Films.

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Tags: Masters Essays, PSY Papers, PSYC, Psychology Assignment, Psychology Dissertations