health science psychosocial

Health sci Study guide

Erik Erikson: Psychosocial Development Theory

Overview of Erikson’s Theory:

  • Core Concept: Erikson's theory is based on 8 stages of psychosocial development, each defined by a crisis or challenge.

  • Resolution of Crises: Successfully resolving each stage results in healthy development, while failure to resolve a stage can lead to issues in subsequent stages.

  • Key Insight: The early stages provide a foundation for later stages. For instance, failure to establish an identity during adolescence can affect adult relationships.

Stages of Psychosocial Development:

Stage 1: Oral Sensory (Birth to 1 Year)

  • Conflict: Trust vs. Mistrust

  • Key Event: Feeding

  • Key Relationship: Mother/Caregiver

  • Resolution: Developing a trusting relationship with the caregiver.

  • Failure Consequence: Sensory distortion, withdrawal.

Stage 2: Muscular-Anal (1 to 3 Years)

  • Conflict: Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

  • Key Event: Toilet training

  • Key Relationship: Parents

  • Resolution: Mastering physical skills like walking, grasping, and control over bodily functions.

  • Failure Consequence: Shame, doubt, impulsivity, or compulsion.

Stage 3: Locomotor (3 to 6 Years)

  • Conflict: Initiative vs. Guilt

  • Key Event: Independence

  • Key Relationship: Family

  • Resolution: Becoming assertive and exploring the world through play and discovery.

  • Failure Consequence: Ruthlessness, inhibition.

Stage 4: Latency (6 to 12 Years)

  • Conflict: Industry vs. Inferiority

  • Key Event: School

  • Key Relationship: Teachers, friends, neighborhood

  • Resolution: Learning new skills and gaining a sense of accomplishment.

  • Failure Consequence: Inferiority, failure, incompetence.

Stage 5: Adolescence (12 to 20 Years)

  • Conflict: Identity vs. Role Confusion

  • Key Event: Peer relationships

  • Key Relationship: Peers, groups, social influences

  • Resolution: Establishing a clear sense of identity regarding occupation, gender roles, religion, and politics.

  • Failure Consequence: Repression, fanaticism, confusion about one’s role.

Stage 6: Young Adulthood (20 to 40 Years)

  • Conflict: Intimacy vs. Isolation

  • Key Event: Parenting

  • Key Relationship: Lovers, friends, work connections

  • Resolution: Developing intimate relationships with others.

  • Failure Consequence: Promiscuity, exclusivity, isolation.

Stage 7: Middle Adulthood (40 to 65 Years)

  • Conflict: Generativity vs. Stagnation

  • Key Event: Parenting

  • Key Relationship: Children, community

  • Resolution: Contributing to society, supporting the next generation, and feeling productive.

  • Failure Consequence: Overextension, rejectivity.

Stage 8: Maturity (65 to Death)

  • Conflict: Ego Integrity vs. Despair

  • Key Event: Reflection on life

  • Key Relationship: Self-reflection and acceptance

  • Resolution: Reflection on one’s life, accepting achievements and failures.

  • Failure Consequence: Despair, disdain.

2. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Overview of Maslow’s Theory:

  • Core Concept: Humans are motivated by a series of needs in order of importance, beginning with basic survival needs and progressing toward self-actualization.

  • Application: Lower needs must be met before higher needs are pursued.

The Five Levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy:

  1. Physiological Needs (Basic Needs)

    • Examples: Air, food, water, shelter, sleep.

    • Significance: These are the fundamental needs required for survival.

  2. Safety Needs

    • Examples: Health, employment, financial stability, safety from harm.

    • Significance: Once physiological needs are met, the focus shifts to safety and security.

  3. Social Needs (Love and Belongingness)

    • Examples: Friendships, family, relationships, social groups.

    • Significance: The need for connection, belonging, and love is crucial for emotional well-being.

  4. Esteem Needs

    • Examples: Respect from others, recognition, self-esteem, status.

    • Significance: People need to feel valued, appreciated, and respected by others.

  5. Self-Actualization Needs

    • Examples: Personal growth, achieving one's potential, creativity.

    • Significance: The realization of personal potential and the desire to grow and improve.

3. Maslow’s Hierarchy in Practice

In Marketing and Advertising:

  • Physiological Needs: Basic survival products like food, medicine, healthcare.

  • Safety Needs: Insurance, home security systems, financial services.

  • Social Needs: Social media platforms, clubs, group activities.

  • Esteem Needs: High-end fashion, luxury cars, status-related products.

  • Self-Actualization Needs: Creative tools, personal development courses, artistic endeavors

4. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: The Five Stages of Death and Dying

Overview of Kübler-Ross’s Theory:

  • Kübler-Ross’s Five Stages of Dying are emotional responses commonly experienced by individuals facing death or by their loved ones.

The Five Stages of Death and Dying:

  1. Denial: "Not me."

  2. Anger: "Why me?"

  3. Bargaining: "Yes, but..."

  4. Depression: "It’s me."

  5. Acceptance: "It’s part of life, I need to get my life in order."

Healthcare Worker’s Role:

  • Supportive Care: Provide a safe space for the patient to express feelings without judgment.

  • Avoid Superficial Responses: Refrain from saying things like, "It’s God’s will."

  • Offer Religious and Emotional Support if needed.

  • Assist with Final Tasks: Help the patient accomplish their final wishes.

  • Family Support: Offer support to the family to prepare them for the loss.


5. Death and Dying: Physiological and Emotional Aspects

Physical Changes Leading to Death:

  1. Pulmonary Changes:

    • Oxygen supply decreases, leading to skin becoming pale, cool, or cyanotic.

    • In dark-skinned individuals, assess mucous membranes and palms.

  2. Cardiovascular Changes:

    • Heart weakens due to reduced oxygen.

    • Blood circulation decreases, leading to pulmonary congestion and liver failure.

  3. Circulatory Changes:

    • Pulse becomes weak and irregular as death nears.

    • Drenching sweat may occur as death approaches.

  4. Metabolic Changes:

    • Decreased metabolism, loss of bodily functions like incontinence or retention.

  5. Urinary Changes:

    • Reduced urinary output, low blood pressure impacting kidney filtration.

  6. Nervous System Decline:

    • Decreased brain function, leading to loss of sensation and power in limbs.

    • Sensitivity to touch, hearing, and vision decreases.

    • May have sensations or interactions with people not visible to others.

Sensory Decline:

  • Sight: Dying individuals may only see what is near.

  • Hearing: They can hear what is distinctly spoken.

  • Touch: Diminished but may still respond to pressure.

  • Neurological Decline: Pupils may react sluggishly or not at all to light.


6. Interventions for Dying Patients

Common Reactions to Impending Death:

  • Fear of abandonment, pain, and loneliness.

  • Anxiety about unfinished business or unfulfilled dreams.

  • Viewing death as an end to suffering or the beginning of a new life.

Healthcare Worker Interventions:

  • Be Supportive: Allow patients to express their feelings.

  • Pain Management: Administer pain relief as needed.

  • Family Support: Help families prepare emotionally for the passing of their loved one.

  • Final Tasks: Assist patients in completing final wishes if possible.