Mark Spencer Case Study

Mark Spencer is engaging in risky behavior, social deviance, is depressed and has limited parental involvement. Like most adolescents he is finding it difficult to manage his social, biological, and educational transitions while juggling his independence (Caprara, Gerbino, Paciello, Di Giunta, & Pastorelli, 2010). Most adolescents experience antisocial behavior when they are trying to gain their independence (Caprara, Gerbino, Paciello, Di Giunta, & Pastorelli, 2010). Adolescents may also engage in heavy drinking, drug use, unsafe sex, and educational slacking (Caprara, Gerbino, Paciello, Di Giunta, & Pastorelli, 2010). Mark is exhibiting symptoms of an individual who is having a difficult time coping with his new found independence. Self discovery is often one of the biggest issues adolescents struggle with.

The peer pressure Mark faced regarding camping and developing survival skills, drug and alcohol abuse, and smoking has given him the most difficulty. He felt as though his personal was inadequate which caused him to partake in risky behavior, quit his passion, and become depressed. Parental concern and involvement in their adolescents daily life is vital (Waizenhofer, Buchanan, & Jackson-Newsom, 2004). Parents need to stay informed on their child's activities, friends, and whereabouts to promote positive growth (Waizenhofer, Buchanan, & Jackson-Newsom, 2004). Mark's parents gave into his wishes to much to avoid upsetting him.

Fathers who are more involved have children who are less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, and partake in antisocial behavior (Goncy & Van Dulmen, 2010). Alcohol and drug abuse, and violence were reduced when fathers take an active role in their adolescent's life (Goncy & Van Dulmen, 2010). Familial involvement is extremely important to reduce an adolescent's involvement in risky, deviant, and antisocial behavior (Broderick & Blewitt, 2010). Mark's case would be best treated by family and individual therapy.

Family therapy is an effective intervention to aid an individual identify and change problematic, maladaptive, and repetitive relationship patterns (Corsini & Wedding, 2008). Family therapy identifies the behavior that is causing a disruption in family transactions (Corsini & Wedding, 2008). This form of therapy is used to identify how actions by individual member that affects the family structure (Wood & Wood, 2008). In family therapy the family is seen as out of sync and reluctant to change (Wood & Wood, 2008). The boundaries Mark's family has placed on him will be examined in therapy. The therapist will also see if any member is disengaged. In Marks case his father working extra hours and his parent's inability to set strict rules will be called into question.

Individual psychotherapy will help him discover who he is, what is affecting his current functioning, and how to cope (Corsini & Wedding, 2008). Behavior, cognitive, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, and rational emotive behavior therapy can be used to treat Mark's depression. Behavior therapy will help Mark overcome the behaviors he engages in that amplify his depression (Wood & Wood, 2008). Psychodynamic therapy can be used to help Mark overcome his depression or substance abuse (Wood & Wood, 2008). Cognitive behavioral therapy can be utilized to help Mark understand how his thoughts, behaviors, and emotions influence each other (Wood & Wood, 2008). Interpersonal therapy can be used in conjunction with family therapy to help Mark understand how his actions affect his familial relations (Wood & Wood, 2008). Lastly, rational emotive behavior therapy can be used to help Mark understand how his thoughts and emotions influence his behavior (Wood & Wood, 2008).

Family and cognitive behavioral therapy are useful in eliminating substance abuse and internalizing emotions in adolescents (Hogue, Henderson, Dauber, Barajas, Fried, & Liddle, 2008).Treatment devotion is vital for the adolescent and their family to resolve their issues (Hogue, Henderson, Dauber, Barajas, Fried, & Liddle, 2008). Family therapy has been found to improve familial support thus improving the parent-child relationship (Kolko, Brent, Baugher, Bridge, & Birmaher, 2000). Cognitive behavioral therapy used in conjunction with family therapy has shown a marked improvement in the adolescent (Kolko, Brent, Baugher, Bridge, & Birmaher, 2000).

Mark will benefit from family and cognitive behavioral therapy. By seeking family and individual treatment he will be able to sort through familial and personal issues. Often teenagers fear opening up about their