Topic Selection Lisa A. Davis PSY 7543 Ethic & Multicultural Issues in Psychology

1. Topic Selection Lisa A. DavisPSY 7543Ethic & Multicultural Issues in Psychology Mrslisadavis@aol.com Capella University MS Psychology Spring 2014 Dr. Alan Brue

2. Case Scenario Kristy is a twenty three year old recent college graduate who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Kristy has recently started working in her dream job as an in home counselor and the population she will be working with is inner city families whom have had contact with the Department of Children and Family services. Kristy is the youngest woman and the only Caucasian working on her team. Kristy has expressed some concerns to her supervisor Dana who is an older African American female in regards to the neighborhoods that her cases are being assigned. Kristy has express that most her families are not available until late in the evening for their visits. Dana has informed Kristy that she must see her clients once a week for a minimum of one hour and at a time that is convenient for the family. Dana has told Kristy that in home visits are one of the main criteria’s for the job and if she is unable to fulfill the criteria then she should re-consider her career choice.

3. Case Scenario Kristy has been working with a young single mother Maude Perkins and her two children Gabriel 2 years old and Jeffery 1 years old. Maude lives in a very high crime area in Chicago. She is also, one of the clients that need to meet with Kristy late in the evening due to her work schedule and picking the children up from daycare. This case came to the attention of the Department of Children and Family Services after a doctor from the hospital where Maude’s son Jeffery was recently hospitalized for breathing difficulties made a hotline call. The Doctor informed the Department of Children and Family Services that Maude had missed several follow up appointments and that he was concerned for the child’s well being. Maude’s youngest son Jeffery was born premature; he is very small for his age and has had several medical concerns since his birth. The child has experienced seizures, difficulty breathing without oxygen because of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and has to be fed through a g-tube. Johnson (1998) explained growth failure continues to be a problem in many infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but some infants with BPD have adequate growth. Significant risk for growth failure includes low socioeconomic status and post discharge illness. Other possible risk includes major feeding difficulties, small size for gestational age, and difficult temperament. The strong association between growth failure and suspect development is a point of concern. Maude’s other child Gabriel is a very healthy and active 2 year old.

4. Case Scenario On this particular day Kristy has been sitting outside of Maude’s apartment for forty five minutes waiting on Maude to arrive home for their scheduled visit. During the time Kristy was waiting on Maude she observed what she believe to be a drug deal, a woman soliciting her body and group of teens fighting. Kristy is thinking of leaving when one of Maude’s neighbors invites her in to her apartment to wait on Maude. The neighbor’s name is Ms. Lee whom Kristy has seen on previous visits and seems to be a nice lady. Upon entering Ms. Lee’s apartment she notice that Ms. Lee’s apartment is set up similar to Maude’s Ms. Lee and Kristy exchange pleasantries and then Ms. Lee’s begin to inquire about Maude’s case. Kristy goes on to give Ms. Lee information regarding Maude while explaining that Maude is really a good mother and just needs some neighborly help. Kristy sits with Ms. Lee for another fifteen minutes until Maude finally arrive. Kristy, Maude and the children enter Maude’s small apartment and Maude apologize for being late.

5. Case Scenario Kristy observed that Jeffery was very irritable and was crying non-stop and also that Gabriel is running wildly around the apartment. Maude states that she is running low on food and needs help with money and also paying for Jeffery’s medication. Kristy asked Maude if she ever thought about of having someone from her church assist her in the evenings with the kids. Maude tells Kristy that she does not attend church and doesn’t really believe in God. Silverman (2004) noted that religious faith and religious doubt have been associated with increased positive and negative affective experiences, respectively. However, faith and doubt are not incompatible, and individuals who demonstrate particular faith-doubt combinations may demonstrate different relationships with positive and negative affect; relationships that are not predicted by their levels of faith or doubt independently. Maude goes on to tell Kristy that if there was a God her son wouldn’t be sick all the time. Kristy explains to Maude that everyone needs to believe in a higher power and that Maude should visit the church she attends. Kristy also, informs Maude if she doesn’t start believing in something and praying that she will continue to have to endure with the things that she is dealing with now. Kristy tells Maude that she thought all African American people were deeply religious and she really wishes Maude would consider coming to church with her. Hunt (2001) noted most research into the religious life of African Americans suggest the longstanding existence of a distinctive religiosity owing to blacks’ unique history in American Society.

6. References • Hunt, L. L. (2001). Race,region, and religious involvement: a compartivestudy of whites and africanamericans. Social Forces, 80(2), 605-631. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/229901 138 ?accountid=27965 • Johnson, D. B. (1998). Nutrition and feeding in infants with bronchopulmonarydysplasia after initial hospital discharge: Risk factors for growth failure. American Dietetic Association.Journalof the American Dietetic Association, 98(6), 649-56. Retrieved May 17, 2014, from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/218396 111 ?accountid=27965 • Silverman, M. M. (2004). Patterns in the use of religion in the management of chronic illiness among africanamericans and non-africanamericans. The Gerontologist, 44(1), 570. Retrieved May 17, 20141, from Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/210983 539 ?accountid=27965