Case Study for Psychology

Case Study for Michael

Christy Bosley

Axia College of University of Phoenix

PSY210

Jennifer Doran

March 16, 2008

Case Study for Michael

The causes for Michael’s stress seems to be the fact that his divorce just became finalized, he wanted custody of his children but his work schedule can not allow for that, but Michael receives visitation every two weeks and his employer has announced financial restrictions that could result in possible layoffs. Since Michael is divorced he has purchased a new townhouse and pays support for his children, he now fears for the possible loss of his job. What if he was put on layoff status and could not afford to pay the mortgage for his home or support his children? This stress is causing Michael serious health issues, such as the chest pains he began to experience after he signed his divorce papers. Michael has experienced the alarm stage, resistance stage and he is now in the exhaustion stage and because he has begun to experience chest pains he could be setting himself up for coronary heart disease if he does not take control of his level of stress.

These types of stressors are impacting Michael’s self-concept and self-esteem. Although, the case study does not mention that Michael’s attitude is being affected by his stress or depression, the chest pains he is experiencing along with the finalization of his divorce are impairing how Michael feels about himself. When the self-concept is low it reflects on how one may view their attitude toward themselves. Michael is facing a rough road in his life and he is faced with a low respect for himself. This can lead Michael into a phase of depression and is could be cause for his chest pains. Another factor that is playing an important role for Michael’s self-concept and self-esteem is that fact that he is unsure of the layoff situation at his job and if he is impacted by the layoff how will he pay his mortgage and support his children.

The situation that Michael is now faced with can be disheartening since he is newly divorced and he is only seeing his children every other week and then to make matters worse he could be facing a layoff from his job. This situation can illustrate adjustment because the world that Michael once knew is changing very rapidly. However, Michael needs to remember that he is in control of his own life and although he can not change the facts as to what has occurred he can focus on the positive and the future. The situation with the layoffs at Michael’s job is not written in stone as to what areas may be impacted by the layoffs, but since his employer has announced it all of the employees are feeling the burden. If Michael was to be laid off from his job he could still draw income but that would also give him the opportunity to seek employment and possibly find a job where he can spend more time with his children. This would be where the opportunity for personal growth would occur. Michael would begin to take control of his life and look towards a positive future.

The type of defensive coping methods that Michael is illustrating is varying due to how he perceives the adjustments he is faced with. Michael’s chest pains are used a mechanism to deal with the amount of stress he is under because he knows no other ways to actively cope with the divorce, not being able to see his children more often and the possibility of a layoff at his job. Michael has a fear that he is dying because he is now facing stressors in his life that impact his level of comfort. For Michael to actively take control of his stress he should seek social support from family and friends change his negative thoughts into positive ones. I would recommend these coping methods because once Michael understands that he can open up with family or friends about his problems, he will begin to feel better and changing the way he thinks or feels about what is going on in his life will certainly improve his morale. If Michael feels he can not open up to his family or friends there are resources available to where he can join a group and express his thoughts openly and not