Table of Contents
Introduction
When I decided to pursue a graduate degree in Social Work, I was motivated by an overwhelming passion to help others. However, it is becoming apparent, that before I can cultivate my understanding of human relationships, it is imperative that I first delve into and comprehend who I am. In the 19th century, researchers have created different types of systems theory to help identify human developments (Robbins). When analyzing individuals, it is best to look at a person in a holist standpoint using the biopsychosocial approach. Thus far, it has been illuminating exploring the concepts of the biopsychosocial model because it allows me to break down the human development by three domains: biological, psychological, and social. In this paper, I will utilize the theories of biopsychosocial model to introduce myself and as well as describe the importance of the core values and how they have guided me in my previous work in servicing others.
Biological Domain
When a child is born into the world with drugs in their system, it is predicted that a child could potential suffer with implications in the brain function and structure, specifically the neurotransmitters. As mentioned by Zittel, neurotransmitter are fundamental factors in sustaining a healthy and stable physiological homeostasis (Zittel). When there is an imbalance in the neurotransmitters, an individual could possibly endure symptoms of a mental disorder and/or physical impairments.
Like a few others, I was a baby that was conceived by two substance abusers. The beginning of my life began with a challenge as I was born as a premature baby with asthmatic issues. During the early stages of my childhood, I had to visit the hospital more than your average kid. I was constantly being placed on monitors with limitations to the amount of physical activities I could indulge in. It wasn’t until the age of 6 when I no longer had to receive excessive amount of asthma treatments to offset the balance of my under developed lungs. Eventually, my physically health allowed me to interact with my peers. Physically, my health allowed me to interact with my peers but eventually I began to bear mental instability.
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Psycholgical Domain
Due to my unfortunate circumstance, I was forced to live in numerous homes between family and friends, resulting in me becoming a former foster youth. While living in these environments, I experienced but not limited to abandonment, abuse, and homelessness. These conditions eventually took a toll on my relationship with those around me. I had become emotionally unstable and projected my rage to those around me. Ultimately, I struggled with my self-esteem, anger, and stress. As a result, I had many instances of being removed out of class and underwent human relationships.
According to Edidin, literature has reported that youth with previous disturbing experiences are more likely to develop a psychiatric disorder. When given a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-III-Revised version (DSM-III-R), approximately, sixty percent of the target population was identified with one of the disorders from the criteria (Edidin). Sadly, I was slowly falling into the statistic of developing a mental disorder and being labeled as to what society identifies as an “at risk” youth. It took a strong support system that was patient and recognized my potential of overcoming the odds. This experience forced me to trust and rely on individuals in order to change my circumstances for the better.
Social Domain
It is described that a person is a product of their environment. Unlike others who have experienced traumatic situations, I am one of the few who beat the odds of a broken system. Both me and my siblings were given different opportunities that resulted into different outcomes. Instead of dwelling on the hardships, I was encouraged by my counselor to excel in my academics. By the age of 18, I was an independent who was making strides in my mental health with therapy and college.
Despite my undesirable predicament, I did not allow my situation to define me or my future. In most cases, society has the tendency of overemphasizing a person’s life experience and environment, which could potentially hinder their future success. As a result could cause professionals to have a skewed perception of someone’s ability to change or male healthy choices (Barkley). If faculty and peers fell into this perception, it is a strong possibility I would have been another statistic like my sibling in prison. Instead of handcuffs, I was given the privileged to purse higher education which allowed me to have access to more resources than your average “at risk” youth. By being surrounded by people who I aspired to be, I knew my life calling was to service others at free will as a social worker.
NASA Core Value and Ethical Principle
Social work is a very complex field, where actions are just as important as theory. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, there are 6 principles that all social workers should possess: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence (NASW). Although all of these values are essential, service resonates with me the most.
Value and Principle
The value of service defined as an ethical principle means that a social worker should be willing to advocate and help individuals to become self-sufficient. In other words, it is necessary that a social worker ensures a better life for individuals, families, and communities in society. By doing so, all personal
Conclusion
It is essential a social worker adopts the multi-disciplinary of biopsychosocial model when defining a person’s human development.
