(Answered) socw6060 Week 2: Application of Systems Theory to a Case Study

In this course, you will be asked to select one case study and to use it throughout the entire course. By doing this, you will have the opportunity to see how theories guide your view of a client and the client’s presenting problem. Although the case may be the same, each time you use a different theory, your perspective of the problem changes, which then changes how you go about asking the assessment questions and how you intervene.

The first theoretical approach you will use to apply to a case study is systems theory. In other words, your theoretical orientation—your lens—will be systems theory as you analyze a social work case study.

Different theories can be used to take a systems approach. For example, Bertalanffy’s General Systems Theory considers how a system is made of smaller subsystems that influence each other and seek homeostasis, whereas Brofennerbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory focuses on how an individual’s experience is influenced by different system levels (micro, meso, exo, macro, and chrono). Systems theory is commonly used to understand the interrelationships of the systems (e.g., family, community, organizations, society) of the client. If you are working with families, communities, and organizations, it is also beneficial to use systems theory to get a holistic picture of all the interrelated parts of the system.

To prepare: Select and focus on one of four case studies listed in the Learning Resources. You will use this same case study throughout the course.

By Day 7

  • Focus on the identified client within your chosen case.
  • Analyze the case using a systems approach, taking into consideration both family and community systems.
  • Complete and submit the “Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case Study” worksheet based on your analysis.

Solution:

Application of Systems Theory to a Case Study

Theories in social work are highly fundamental as they help social workers in understanding the social work environment and complex human behavior. Similarly, a theory provides a social work practitioner with principles that provide a guide, and direction to understand the human behaviors and the social issues facing them. Knowledge and gap in practice can also be identified with the help of a theory (Turner, 2017). One of the theories highly applicable in social workers is the system approach theory. In light of this, this paper explores the application of a system approach theory in a selected case study.

Case study and Theory Application

            The selected theory is of Jake Levy who is a 31-year-old Caucasian male married to Sheri (31) years old. They have two sons aged 10 and 8 years. Jake is an Iraq war veteran and he is seeking help because his wife threatens to leave him. Jake is having a drinking problem, which is making it hard for him to be productive in his home and work. His wife feels he is becoming distant due to his drinking problem and does not spend time with his sons. Jake is worried that he is having problems with being a provider in their home. In regards to mental health, Jake is struggling with sleep heart palpation that is frequent as well as moodiness. He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder…Click link below to purchase full tutorial at $10