Bullying is a common issue in schools, especially in the adolescent stage of child development. Based on the video, Amy may be affected biologically, psychologically, and socially. The discussion assesses the possible ways that Amy may be affected by bullying and the possible interventions by a social worker.
Physically, she may experience a decrease in her self-esteem due to her appearance, leading to a decrease in physical activity and exercise, which can lead to an increase in weight or other health problems. She may also experience increased anxiety, weakening her immune system, physical exhaustion, and an increased risk of developing depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
She may experience a decrease in her self-esteem, which can lead to a decrease in her confidence in her abilities and a decrease in her academic performance. Bullying can also lead to an increase in her anxiety levels, which can lead to difficulty sleeping, nightmares, and an inability to focus on tasks.
She may become isolated from her peers, leading to increased loneliness and a decrease in her social support system. She may also be less likely to engage in activities with her peers, which can lead to increased alienation from them.
A theoretical approach that may be beneficial for working with Amy would be Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The approach focuses on identifying and changing the thought patterns and behaviors contributing to the problem. CBT can help Amy identify the negative thoughts she is having about herself and the situation and work to replace them with more
positive and constructive thoughts (Zastrow, Kirst-Ashman & Hessenauer, 2019). This can help her to build her self-esteem and confidence and learn to manage her anxiety levels
Practical skills that would benefit working with Amy include active listening and psychoeducation. Active listening involves listening to Amy’s stories and feelings without interrupting or judging her and allowing her to express her thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or criticism. Psychoeducation involves providing Amy with information about bullying, its effects, and strategies to cope with the situation. It can help her understand the effects of bullying and learn how to manage her feelings healthily.
References
Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Walden University, LLC. (2017-2021). Southside Community Services Amy, episode 1 [Video file]. Walden University Blackboard. https://walden.instrcture.com
- Explain an additional theoretical approach and/or practice skill they may want to employ in working with Amy, and how this new approach or skill would complement what your colleague has already identified.
- Communicate the most important message for Amy to understand at this point in her life span. How might that message help mitigate the effects of bullying?
