Application: Using Genograms and Ecomaps for Intervention   In addition to a genogram, it is important for social workers to develop an ecomap with clients. Social workers use ecomaps as a tool to assess present relationships and interactions with people (other than family) and support systems in the lives of clients. Knowing and understanding these connections provides the social worker with a sense of the resources clients may have when they need support. The information that the social worker gathers from both the genogram and the ecomap can provide a foundation to develop a sound intervention plan.  For this Application Assignment, construct a genogram and an ecomap for the family from the Final Project case study. Think about how the information you gather might be useful in developing an intervention plan.  The assignment (2–3 pages): •Construct a genogram and ecomap of the family in the Final Project case study. •Explain how the information you have gathered in the genogram and ecomap might assist you in developing an intervention plan.  Note: Please submit the genogram, ecomap, and the written portion of the Application Assignment as three separate documents to the submission link.  Note: Support your Application Assignment with specific references to the Learning Resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this course.

Application: Change Process   In order to assist clients with change, social workers must have a clear understanding of the elements of the transtheoretical change process. Many factors influence how and when change may occur in clients. It is important for social workers to recognize and acknowledge when the client is in a particular phase of change. Doing so provides key opportunities for social workers to support client self-efficacy and address ambivalent feelings the client may have about the change process. Social workers should take care to use professional skills to develop motivational questions and responses to encourage clients through the change process.  For this Application Assignment, review the case study, “The School Brawler,” in the course text, and consider the transtheoretical stage of change of the client in the case study. Think about where the client is at the beginning and at the end of the therapy session. Consider interactions in the therapy session that influence the client’s move from one stage to another.  The assignment (2–3 pages): •Describe the transtheoretical stage of change the client in the case study was in at the beginning of therapy session, and explain why. •Describe the transtheoretical stage of change the client is in at the end of therapy session, and explain why. •Describe two interactions that occur in the therapeutic session, and explain how each influences the client’s move from one stage to another. Support your response with references to the Learning Resources.  Note: Support your Application Assignment with specific references to the Learning Resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this course.

Choose 1 of the following social problems:

Being unemployed and the impact of unemployment on the individual and society

Being an alcoholic and the broader impact of alcoholism on the individual and society

Being a drug addict and the broader impact of drug addiction on the individual and society

Being an unmarried pregnant teenager and the impact that unmarried teen pregnancy has on the individual and society

Being a homeless person and the broader issue of poverty in society

Using your sociological imagination, discuss the connection between the individual experience and the social impact of the social problem that you chose.

A major component of the sociological discussion of health and illness concerns an analysis of how problems that were previously not considered medical in nature are now a part of the province of medicine. This process, known as medicalization, describes how remedial efforts in the nonmedical realm to solve certain social problems are now given over to modern medicine as a topic of discussion and treatment. The purpose of this assignment is to define medicalization and offer an important commentary about the spread of this social trend in society today.

Instructions

Construct a 4-6 page paper that fully satisfies these four areas:

Define medicalization in sociological terms. 

Explain three major ways in which medicalization has been able to flourish in modern society.

Describe one mental or physical illness that has become medicalized, apply sociological concepts to analyze how this illness has become medicalized.

Finally, offer a commentary about whether or not you think the medicalization of this problem is warranted. In other words, do you think that medicalization, in the example you’ve chosen, is unnecessary? Why or why not?

The paper should be typed, double-spaced, 1” margins, arial or times new roman 12 pt font, and saved as .doc.  The paper should be in APA format (cover page, running header, major heading, subheadings, in-text citations, and reference list),

Discussion:  Assessment of Depression  Although there has recently been a deluge of media highlighting various prescription drugs for treatment of depression and anxiety, there remains a lack of understanding about mental health, in general. Further, stigma often is attached to seeking professional help for mental health issues.  Depression is a disorder that people often do not realize they are experiencing. The symptoms of depression can vary from person to person (i.e., weight gain vs. weight loss, loss of sleep vs. increased sleep), which can also make it difficult to diagnose. Many people experience times of sadness, including waking up feeling down for no apparent reason. These feelings are not unusual and come with the ups and downs of life.  As a professional, understanding the criteria for depression and comorbid diseases is part of a comprehensive assessment. Depression and anxiety can precede other mental health and physical issues and can also be a result of those issues. Clarifying the progression of the presenting problem will enable you to establish a well-informed treatment plan and intervention.  

For this Discussion, review the course-specific case study for Miranda in this week’s resources. As you review and analyze this case, remind yourself of the need for a comprehensive assessment that does not focus on the perceived deficits. You will read and then consider the responses of the professionals involved in the case. While reviewing their varied responses, consider their possible biases and how they have chosen to focus on the presenting problem and the client’s situation.

Post the depression scale you located, summarize how it is used, and describe the target population. Describe how you might apply this assessment to the course-specific case study of Miranda and include any additional questions you would ask Miranda to assess her level of depression. Then, identify the red flags that might cause concern and/or indicate significant depression. Finally, identify a scale that can be used to assess risk for suicide.   

The DSM-5 includes particular Z Codes (ICD-10-CM) to assist the clinician in identifying conditions that are relational in nature. In making a formal DSM-5 diagnosis, the clinical social worker should always identify from these codes any other condition that may be of concern and include the relevant Z Codes (pp. 715-727).  

For this Discussion, read the case study “Working with Individuals: The Case of Sam.” Then, using the DSM-5 criteria, determine a complete clinical diagnosis for Sam. Post your diagnosis of Sam in DSM-5 format (pp. 21–23), including the criteria you used in determining this diagnosis. 

•Be sure to include any medical information that is presented in the case. 

•Also, review the Other Conditions that may be a Focus of Clinical Attention Z codes (ICD-10-CM) and include this in your diagnosis. 

•Evaluate the level of usefulness of the assessment measures (pp. 733-748) in the DSM-5 and explain whether these measures are helpful in treating Sam.  

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.  Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts.

Greetings, class. The introduction of Durkhiem's theory coincides with major changes in modernization throughout the world in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Individuals in a rural setting may have completely differing norms than the city societies they were introduced to in search of jobs. With this merger of societies, the interpretation of deviant behavior outside of social norms would have needed to be changed. What do you think are some examples of deviant behaviors that rural people moving to the city landscape would have displayed? ~ 

100 words response to scott:

Good morning Class,

I have decided to pick question 1 for this week forum. I will say this week forum was challenging for me to explain, but I think I covered all main points.

Compare and contrast the functionalist view of social stratification and the conflict theory's view of social stratification.

Functionalist view of social stratification believe that society is like an organism. Like for example like look the unit in the military there one guy that really smart and know how work computer, some are really fit, and some are excellent marksmen’s. I think might lost some people with that example, so here one more every has a vital role in the military where it administration, communications, supply and grunts. We all need each like how a body need a heart, brain, blood, lung… to survive. Now the conflict theory’s view of social stratification is divided up in two groups the workers or the owners(capitalist). The example is how they describe in our lesson “Capitalists own the means of production, like factories and fields. Workers don’t own the means of production, and must sell their labor for income”

How does social stratification influence the daily interactions of individuals? How do systems of class, based on factors such as prestige, power, income, and wealth, influence your own daily routines, as well as your beliefs and attitudes? Illustrate your ideas with examples.

Well first to make it easy we currently live in an open stratification. But what dose that mean to me? It means we have the ability to change our social class (not easy task to do) define at birth what your class will be unlike a close stratification will be like you born from royalty, so hence that your class for most or all your life. So an example of an open Social stratification will be American dream where you can mold your life by taking time to achieve your goal and become most anything you want because you and every has the same opportunity reaching your dream job (granted not the case for some jobs). So let look the different of class it will be easy for someone who was born rich to live life with a sliver spoon and being hand everything and not worry to have to pay for school to get a education but let’s compare that man or women that grow up in poor family in order to change his social class he/she got wanted it and work hard for it by get great grades, job (to pay for if that was the case) and varies scholarships in order to get there dream job. If and only if they become rich and successful. Don’t get me wrong you also be any class and be successful but I feel the one that are successful always works hard, advance little by little and persistent toward there goal not just keeping busy for the time being. How you feel base on these factors? Do you feel like I to strict on this matter? Thank for reading this and I hope you have a wonderful day.

Reference

URLhttps://edge.apus.edu/access/content/group/arts-and-humanities-common/Universal/SOCI/111/elf/lesson-4/elf_index.html

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Date Accessed December 28, 2017

Reply back to scott 100 words to what he asked me:Good morning James,

Merry Christmas and can you have believed it is week four already because I can’t believe it. Time is a flying and it is good to see that you are working hard. I can tell because your forum took a lot of thought and has some great insight to. Can you give name of a nation that you know that are not develop yet? I do agree that the functionalist perspective is an accurate theory because everyone input is importance to this country (to a certain extent). Now I can see some inequality, when I was Station in Riyadh Saudi Arabia by how the women couldn’t drive and couldn’t have as many equal right due their culture which nothing wrong with that because that there way of living. Thank for reading this. I hope you have a wonderful day and keep up the splendid work.

-Scott  

Respond 100 words to reed: 1.  Compare and contrast the functionalist view of social stratification and the conflict theory's view of social stratification. How does social stratification influence the daily interactions of individuals? How do systems of class, based on factors such as prestige, power, income, and wealth, influence your own daily routines, as well as your beliefs and attitudes? Illustrate your ideas with examples.

In our lesson social stratification is discussed. There are a couple of different types of stratification presented early in the lesson described as closed and open forms of stratification. An example of a closed form would be slavery. Closed meaning that individuals do not have the ability and or opportunity to move up in the system. A good example of an open system would be, in most people’s opinion, a democracy. In this case people are stratified according to wealth and or income and presumable would be able to move up if their level of wealth changed.

In a functionalist stratification of society, according to Durkheim, people are sorted according to their abilities and talents. Those who have the ability to produce something or to become successful will therefore be at the higher end of the social class. Durkheim likens this to organisms or organs in the human body. All doing different things but overall the efforts of individuals serve the ultimate purpose of making a society exist. The worth of these talents or abilities would determine where an individual ranks in the social stratification. (College, 2015)

In a social conflict theory stratification, according to Karl Marx, there is not really a means for individuals to change their social status. They are more or less born into their class which is one of two areas. They are both the owners and operators of the wealth and control how it is made or they are not and therefore must cater to those with the wealth. In the lesson and example is made by comparing those who own a factory to being the ones in control of the wealth and power. They are able to maintain their position by using the wealth they have and or increasing it. Those who do not possess the wealth are forced to sell their labor to the factory owners in order to generate income and as a result will never rise to a higher level of wealth. (College, 2015)

I prefer Durkheim’s model and I feel like that is the situation for Americans today. If someone works hard and has a skill or talent to produce they may move up in the social classes. There are still examples of Marx’s theory of conflict theory in today’s world as well. In third world countries we still see forms of slavery and a few individuals with wealth and or power controlling most of the others indigenous to the area.

Reference

College, O. (2015, January 12). Introduction to Sociology. OpenStax College. Retrieved from http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11740/1.3/

Reply 100 words to reed on a question that he asked me: Hello James

In your forum, well done by the way, you mention that some countries or nations exploit others. Do you think the U.S.A is guilty of that? I wonder if there was a change accepted to move away from fossil fuel would the nations that are in power now be the same? I think that there is a good degree of social stratification based on wealth across the world and this stems greatly from the resources and goods that a nation or country can provide. Taking the middle east for example, I doubt there would much U.S. involvement in conflict there if there wasn’t a lot of oil and precious minerals at stake. Did you know that Russia initially invaded Afghanistan in the 1980’s to pave the way for a natural gas pipeline?

I would agree that the functionalist perspective on stratification is most widely accurate in todays society however there are still examples of the conflict theory. I’ve been to several third world countries in my travels and experienced the people that live in them. There is an ignorance to the ways of most first world countries that practically precludes those individuals from aspiring to achieve a higher status. They just don’t realize that there is the potential for more out there and as a result don’t even try. They feel that what they were born into is what they deserve and no more or no less. The Western and American perspective is much different in that if you have the will and desire to achieve then usually that is exactly what you will do.

Overview

From a sociological viewpoint, the analysis of health outcomes can be understood through a variety of social variables. Throughout this semester, we have covered several of these, including race, gender, and class in society. For sociologists, these variables can be correlated very strongly with longevity rates, propensities for certain types of disease, and overall rates of mortality. In this final essay, you will describe the key relationship between these social variables and health outcomes, and also engage in your own independent research in which you will come up with one meaningful example of a health issue that is impacted by these variables. This paper will conclude with your own policy opinions about what you think government can do to reduce the impact of these social variables upon these health concerns. 

Instructions

Complete a 8-10 page final paper that satisfies the following three areas:

Using several sociological concepts covered in our readings and discussion, explain how sociologists view the relationship between the key social variables of race, gender, class and health. (For example, explain how the intersection of race, class, and gender can help us predict health related outcomes.)

After engaging in your own independent research, citing a minimum of three (3) peer-reviewed journal articles provide one meaningful example of a health problem that is clearly impacted by race, class, and gender. 

Finally, detail a brief policy proposal in which you explain how government intervention may reduce the impact of race, class, and gender upon health outcomes in the United States. 

The assignment should include a title page, abstract and/or table of contents, body of paper, and a References page. 

The paper should be typed, double-spaced, 1” margins, arial or times new roman 12 pt font, and saved as .doc.  The paper should be in APA format (cover page, running header, major heading, subheadings, in-text citations, and reference list),

Application: The Effectiveness of Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy   Prior to using cognitive therapy as an intervention with a client, it is important for social workers to be aware of the current research on both the client problem and possible interventions. Based on research and professional experience, social workers should be confident about the effectiveness of the cognitive therapy intervention before they use it with a client. If there is evidence of contraindication for cognitive therapy for the specific client problem, the social worker should consider supervision and/or an alternative intervention.  Before you delve into this Application Assignment, select a client problem that you might encounter in social work practice. Then search the Walden Library and select three research articles that address the effectiveness of the intervention (CT or CBT) in treating the problem you selected.  Note: For this Application Assignment, please select the intervention than you did not use in the Discussion.  The assignment (2–3 pages): •Briefly describe the client problem and intervention you selected. •Provide a synthesis of the articles you selected. •Explain whether each article demonstrated if the intervention was effective, and why. Explain whether you would use this intervention when working with a client. Justify your responses using the articles you selected.

Application: Understanding Family Systems   Understanding your family system can help provide useful information when working with families. Family systems may be open or closed. Open family systems involve acceptance of all family members as equal participants in the family. For example, children may be included in family decisions. Closed systems involve an authoritarian approach to family structure. For example, children are not included in family decisions. The strategies associated with family systems can help families explore the inner workings of their family structure.  In this Application Assignment, analyze family systems related to family systems theory.  The assignment (2–3 pages): •Explain whether your family system, or one with which you are familiar, is an open or closed system. Justify your response. •Explain how family systems theory applies to your family (or the one that you selected). Include a detailed analysis of the subsets, boundaries, family rules, and feedback loop or loops. •Based on your responses above, explain how your family system, or the one you selected, is unique.