Reply to separate writings about behavioral therapy

A school nurse is working with a 14-year-old student suspected of being addicted to alcohol. Discuss with classmates what concepts from the various theories described could be used in planning nursing interventions. Using the theories from social psychology, how could the nurse set up a health-promotion campaign for a teenage drug and alcohol program?

The nurse can use Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory to delve into the nature of the alcohol abuse that the student is exhibiting. Freud believed that behavior is the result of the interaction between three major systems of the personality, the id, ego, and superego (McEwen & Wills, 2019). The id is the main source of energy and the primary component of the personality. It is driven by the principle of pleasure to release perceived tensions and seek out immediate gratification of desires and needs (Cherry, 2019). The ego develops from the id and makes certain that the impulses generated in the id can be conveyed in a way that are acceptable in the real world. The superego then steps in to inhibit impulses of the id, encourage the id to set realistic goals, and move towards perfection (McEwen & Wills, 2019). It focuses on what is right versus what is wrong. In the student’s case, the id dominated and led to alcohol abuse, because of the feelings of pleasure obtained from the substance. His superego would lead him to have feelings of guilt and shame when he sobered up. This nurse could use these feelings to set up a health-promotion campaign for a teenage drug and alcohol program at her school. The main idea of the program would be to help students find alternate and acceptable ways to behave. It would be geared towards the resolution of childhood conflicts, strengthening the ego, and boosting self-confidence.

In addition to Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory, the nurse can use Erikson’s Developmental Theory to assess the situation. The Developmental Theory is an expansion on Freud’s concept of the ego and delves into how specific stages of a person’s life are influenced by society. Erikson believed that each stage of development builds on the next which leads to the formation of the whole person and the ego. The ego uses inner readiness and outer opportunities to find creative solutions at each stage of development (McEwen & Wills, 2019). The nurse can use this theory to build her campaign by assessing the developmental stage and behaviors of her target population and using this information to empower the teens to take control of their life and to deal effectively with problems. This provides a more effective coping mechanism than the alcohol and drugs.

The Rational Emotive Theory focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions (McEwen & Wills, 2019). An individual can think either rationally or irrationally, decide, analyze, and act. If a person suffers from repetitive irrational thoughts this supports dysfunctional beliefs which ultimately lead a person to exhibit dysfunctional behaviors. The nurse could set up a program using rational emotive behavior therapy to help understand and facilitate change in core beliefs and thought patterns. The program would be designed on challenging the negative thought processes and replacing them with positive processes. This would give the students a more effective way to deal with their problems and function in a healthier way (Ackerman, 2018).

REFERENCES

Ackerman, C. (2018). What is rational emotive behavior therapy. PositivePsychology.com.

https://positivepsychology.com/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt/ (Links to an external site.)

Cherry, K. (2019). Freud’s id, ego, and superego. Very Well Mind.

https://www.verywellmind.com/the-id-ego-and-superego-2795951 (Links to an external site.).

McEwen, M. & Wills, E.M. (2019). Theoretical Basis for Nursing (5th ed.). Walters Kluwer.

Edited by Christy Colson on Jun 29 at 2:12pm

Writing 2

Learning Activity Case 4
Consider the following case: A 52-year-old man is admitted to the hospital for hypertension for the third time in the past year. Each time, he stopped taking his medications because he was “feeling good.” What concepts from the various theories could be used to change his behavior? How could the nurse set up a health-promotion program for managing hypertension in the hospital? In the community?

The Health Belief Model can be used to help this man get a better understanding of hypertension and then ways should be developed to help him manage his hypertension. For example, he can be given a pill planner that has his pills for one week. He should then be educated on the importance of taking his medications on a daily basis.

The Transtheoretical Model’s stages of change should be used to assess where the man is in the 5 stages. For example, he may be in the precontemplation stage where he does not intend to change his habit of not taking his medications regularly. A case manager can be involved to help the member successfully go through the five stages until he reaches the maintenance stage.

The Social Psychology Theory can be used to help understand why this man does not take his medications. What are the man’s feelings on being diagnosed with hypertension? Does he understand his diagnosis? Does he have any side effects when taking his medicine? This question can help one understand the man’s intention to change, if any. It is also good to find out which is the best way that this man learns information – is it by reading? if yes, provide him with reading material on hypertension.

The nurse can set up a wellness and prevention program in the hospital or in the community where people are educated more on hypertension. Signs and symptoms of hypertension, how to manage hypertension, how to take blood pressure, common medications used to treat hypertension and the medication side effects. The nurse can get 1 or 2 people in the community that are doing a good job on managing their hypertension and ask them to speak to the group as a way to motivate others.

The nurse can also make flyers or pamphlets with educational material on hypertension. The pamphlet can list ideal blood pressure readings, talk on the importance of exercise and diet and also emphasize the importance of community members keeping up with their doctor appointments.

Preventive care is important because it helps one stay healthy and aids in ensuring that one has access to the treatment that is necessary. Preventions and proper health screenings help treat potential health problems before they worsen. Regular check-ups with a Primary Care Physician are very important.

Reference:

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2017). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.) Wolters Kluwer Health.