Description of Client
Carol sought counseling because she was worried about her daughter Olivia, whose condition is influenced by biological, cultural, and environmental factors. Biologically, Olivia is six months old and spent the first three weeks of her life in the hospital due to respiratory issues and low birth weight (LBW). The father, Gary, is sporadic in his support of the family and provides minimal financial stability; he does not currently have contact with the children. Her mother has another child, and her closest relatives are her parents, who reside more than two hours away. She does not have any other immediate family in the region. Regarding her culture, she is a Caucasian baby of European ancestry.
The environmental factors include her mother’s residence in appalling conditions in an inner-city subsidized housing development in a building that may have lead paint issues. The mother acknowledges that she works as a program director for a nonprofit, but she still struggles to provide her kids with the necessary nourishment. She seeks guidance on how to support her child as she is distraught and under stress.
Awareness
Olivia’s diagnosis of LBW and respiratory issues is problematic since these medical issues may have an influence on her development and have an impact on her adult life. The recommended elements are making it more unlikely that Olivia will be able to get over her health problems. According to Bigelow et al. (2023), all factors interact dynamically during a child’s early years. Broderick and Blewitt (2020) indicate that biological elements lay the basis for development. The genetic potential is realized and is shaped by environmental and cultural factors.
Comprehending these factors is crucial for establishing settings that promote ideal growth and assist children in realizing their maximum capabilities. Stress among mothers raises the chance of many adverse consequences, including LBW, miscarriage, and postnatal neurological and behavioral dysregulation, which includes anxiety and learning difficulties (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020). According to Bigelow et al.’s research from 2023, young adults who are born with LBW typically function worse. Compared to their peers who were delivered on time, they experience higher rates of depression and have lower mental health-related quality of life. Most adult outcomes can be predicted by how many days they require respiratory assistance and their adolescent motor function.
Sandnes et al. (2023) state that the food quality of 5.5-year-old LBW children, as determined by the HEI-2010, is either inadequate or requires improvement. Carol struggles financially and lacks a support network, another crucial piece of information. She conceded that she could not provide Olivia with the sustenance she deserved. The elements collectively impact the child’s development, influencing their physical health, cognitive capacities, social connections, and emotional well-being. This gives the contextual foundation required for individualized and holistic treatment approaches.
Challenges
The challenges in counseling Carol pose a complex problem that necessitates a careful balancing act between practical advice, emotional support, and empathy. It entails managing the mother’s urgent worries for her sick child while navigating her emotional anguish and possible overwhelm (Sandnes et al., 2023; Bigelow et al., 2023). Olivia’s primary caregiver and the family’s primary provider is Carol. Stressful physical or emotional pain triggers the attachment system in all newborns, particularly in more delicate and susceptible ones.
The infant communicates his need for his caregiver to assist in several ways. These include weeping, clinging, or displaying other signs of discomfort (Broderick & Blewitt, 2020). Since Carol lacks a support structure, this may become too much for her to handle and cause further stress. A considerable issue is striking a balance between the emotional toll of caregiving and the requirement for workable answers (Bigelow et al., 2023). The counselor must negotiate the challenges of providing direction without adding to the mother’s stress and ensure that the advice aligns with the mother’s needs regarding health, resources, and circumstances.
References
Bigelow, A. E., Power, M., & Dadgar, H. (2023). Maternal mind-mindedness over infants’ first three months. Infant Behavior and Development, 72. Web.
Broderick, P. C., & Blewitt, P. (2020). The life span: Human development for helping professionals (5th ed.). Pearson Education
Sandnes, K., Karstad, S. B., Lydersen, S., & Berg-Nielsen, T. S. (2023). Are changes in mothers’ representations of their infants related to changes in observed mother-infant interaction quality? Infant Behavior & Development, 73. Web.