Life Cycle Crisis PART SET Dr MargiAnne Isaia, MD MPH PCC-T DrAnneenthusiasticLife 4

LIFE CYCLE CRISIS (DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS) Stage: InfancyCrisis: Trust versus Mistrust Possible Problematic Social Role Changes: Mother fails to bond/nurture infant Father fails to join in as a nurturer; father unable to maintain sense of belonging to family unit Interventions: M: Teach mother proper parenting skills; discuss fears about intimacy F: Encourage communication and expression of sense of being left out with no function; educate mother on the need for father’s involvement with infant

LIFE CYCLE CRISIS (DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS) Stage: Toddler YearsCrisis: Autonomy versus Shame and Self-Doubt Possible Problematic Social Role Changes: Parents fail to allow independence and are over controlling Parents fail to set appropriate boundaries and limits Interventions: Educate parents about the needs of toddler to feel powerful over self Educate parents about ways to set limits without creating uncontrollable power struggles

LIFE CYCLE CRISIS (DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS) Stage: Preschool YearsCrisis: Initiative versus Guilt Possible Problematic Social Role Changes: Child is unable to interact with children and initiate play Child is overly competitive and aggressive and unable to cooperate Interventions: Support parents in their efforts to role model proper assertive behavior for their child within the family and with extra familial relationships Teach parents how to help child submit without feeling completely worthless

LIFE CYCLE CRISIS (DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS) Stage: Childhood YearsCrisis: Industry versus Inferiority Possible Problematic Social Role Changes: Child fails to master skills at school, academic, physical, or social Child fails to demonstrate competence in areas parents perceive as appropriate Interventions: Encourage child to develop competence at some task or game Teach parents about the need for child to develop an identity and skills appropriate for the child rather than expecting behaviors that meet the parents’ emotional needs and desires

LIFE CYCLE CRISIS (DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS) Stage: AdolescenceCrisis: Identity versus Role Confusion Possible Problematic Social Role Changes: Parents fail to allow child freedoms and responsibilities Parents fail to listen and understand the needs of the child Child fails to transfer emotional need fulfillment to peers Child fails to manage increased responsibilities and stress of growing up Interventions: Introduce family therapy that focuses on negotiation and compromise Teach parents active listening and empathetic understanding skills Support child to interact with peers and encourage social involvement Support child to accept reality of growing up, pointing out the advantages that go along with stress and responsibility

LIFE CYCLE CRISIS (DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS) Stage: Young Adult YearsCrisis: Intimacy versus Isolation Possible Problematic Social Role Changes: Young adult fails to form intimate relationships; experiences loneliness Young adult fails to experience independence from parents emotionally, financially, or physically Parents fail to let go of young adult, attempt to control his or her life Interventions: Teach healthy social interaction skills; help work through grief and depression Educate young adult about normalcy of fears regarding independence, life cycle; give practical suggestions on how to manage daily stresses and let go of parents Help parents grieve loss and focus on new involvements

LIFE CYCLE CRISIS (DEVELOPMENTAL Stage: Middle Adult Years CRISIS)Crisis: Generatively versus Stagnation Possible Problematic Social Role Changes: Spouses fail to rekindle marital bond after children move out Adult fails to involve self in new and fulfilling activities Adult fails to adapt to grandparental role appropriately Parents fail to let go of adult children; experience profound depression because of their loss Interventions: Suggest marital counseling to address feelings of loss, increase marital interactions and activities Encourage career change, enrolling in college, starting a hobby, doing volunteer work Teach appropriate role behaviors and boundaries for grandparents Help parents grieve loss and work through depression

LIFE CYCLE CRISIS (DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS) Stage: Mature Adult YearsCrisis: Ego Integrity versus Despair Possible Problematic Social Role Changes: Older adult fails to continue participation in life Older person experiences depression about his or her life Older person experiences anger and shame about dependence on family Interventions: Encourage involvement in senior centers and support groups Provide supportive counseling focusing on positives in life Use family therapy to address feelings and communicate needs

FROM CLASSICAL AUTHOR “Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life's great crisis.” EGW CC 310.6

REFERENCES Gladding S. T., Family Therapy, History, Theory and Practice, 5 th edition (2011) Olson, D. H., Circumplex Model of Marital & Family Systems “Empirical Approaches to Family Assessment”, special edition of the Journal of Family Therapy (1999) White, E.G., Adventist Home