Tamela M. McGhee--COUN5004--Unit 8 Assignment

Running head: DEVELOPING A CASE STUDY 1

Unit 8: Psychosocial Development Case Study Assessment

COUN5004: Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors

Dr. Clow

December, 2015


Psychosocial Development Case Study Assessment

Introduction

In the pages which follow, two characters from The Joy Luck Club--Waverly and Lindo

Jong--will be explored from three life-developmental stages. Waverly, the daughter of Lindo,

will be broached from both a middle childhood and early adulthood perspective. Lindo will be

broached from a middle adulthood perspective. Aspects examined will include age-related

psychological crisis, psychosocial development, family, and cultural considerations. Both

challenges and strengths will be evaluated in relation to wellness and resilience. Projective

considerations will also be explored, as to their transitional and functional impacts on the family

unit as a whole.

Waverly Jong: Middle Childhood--6-12 yrs.

Waverly is the daughter of Lindo--an auntie, and long-time member of the "Joy Luck

Club". In the beginning of her middle childhood years, Waverly is an esteemed chess champion,

and steeped in self-confidence. She remembers this as a time that, "...I trusted myself

completely...I felt safe there, and still cry remembering that." (Wang, 1993). Waverly

experiences a collision with her mother, as Lindo is proud and boasting of her daughter's

achievements. Waverly challenges her mother, by advising if she wants to boast, she should

learn to play chess herself. She runs away briefly, then after returning home, informs her parents

that she will never play chess again. She is met with a cold response from her mother, who does

not beg her to resume chess, despite the fact that Waverly deeply wishes she would. Waverly

approaches her mother with a change of mind, but is met with an unsupportive response. A


defined time of change occurred within Waverly. In reflection, she narrates, "..I had this belief in

myself. I could actually feel it draining away...All I could see were my mistakes, my weaknesses.

The best part of me disappeared." (Wang, 1993).

The Psychological Crisis: Industry Vs. Inferiority

The Psychosocial crisis during the middle childhood years, is that of industry versus

inferiority. Industry encompasses new skills being learned, cultivating a new sense of

independence, self-worth, and abilities that align more closely with adults. During this time,

positive support from adults and peers encourages continued growth that holds long-term

successful impacts (Newman & Newman, 2015).

Inferiority opposes industry, in that it negates self-worth and adequacy. Both a child's self

as well as their social environment, contributes to the cultivation of inferiority. Negative failure

messages, criticism, comparison to others, or perceived lack of ability can all lend to feelings of

inferiority. When this crisis is resolved towards the negative, a child may come to lose

confidence in their ability to contribute to their world at large (Newman & Newman, 2015).

Waverly began her middle childhood years on the industry side of development. She

believed in herself and had self-confidence. After conflict arose with her mother, this confidence

diminished. By not receiving the positive support that she needed, she carried these

repercussions with her as she felt her self-confidence diminish. In short, Waverly's psychosocial

crisis was resolved towards the negative side of inferiority.

Developmental Theory: Self Efficacy, Social Expectations, and Self-fulfilling Prophecy


The building of self-efficacy is a vital component to middle-aged children judging their

own competence. When children can meet the performance standards specific to their

environments, then their self-confidence becomes strengthened. According to Albert Bandura,

one aspect contributing to self-efficacy, is enactive attainments, or positive reinforcements

through achievements (Newman & Newman, 2015). Social expectations are another strong

contributor, as the positive feedback of important others, lends needed confirmation of perceived

self-confidence. If this feedback is negative or skewed, a child can lose their self-confidence, and

come to live up to this false sense of identity. Known as self-fulfilling prophecy, when negative

self-images are incurred, one tends to align with and fulfill these newly acquired perceptions

(Newman & Newman, 2015).

At one point in time, Waverly was building her self-efficacy as a chess champion. She

felt powerful and confident within this. When she became embarrassed by her mother's boasting

and challenged her mother, she lost her mother's support--a prominent and close source of

feedback in her life. She transcends from a young girl full of confidence, to one feeling ordinary.

She became focused on her perceived mistakes and weaknesses, and subsequently began to lose

chess tournaments (Wang, 1993). By taking her mother's lack of support and criticism into

herself, Waverly came to conduct a self-fulfilling prophesy. Where she once reigned as a chess

champion, she now no longer won games in confidence.

Factors Affecting Behavior: Competition and Cultural Influence

Competition and the experience of winning can create long-lasting and memorable

impacts during childhood years. These energetic highs can be looked back on in a positive light,


and extend towards a healthy achieving drive later in life. On the flipside, children can incur

negative impacts with competition and losing, cultivating an overt display of embarrassment

with an inner sense of shame. Culture can also influence competitive views (Newman &

Newman, 2015).

Waverly is born of the Chinese culture. Chinese parents, like Japanese parents, hold high

expectations for their children, and encourage their children to spend more time on cultivating

their skills. Additionally, parental views concerning competition, has been shown to directly

influence their children's view of self competence (Newman & Newman, 2015). At one point,

Waverly poured herself into chess, was a champion, and held a great sense of pride and self-

competence. Her mother was proud of her. However, once challenged, her mother turned away

from her and no longer showed an interest in Waverly's accomplishments. As Waverly began to

experience the pain of defeat, she completely lost her sense of self-confidence, and began to

view herself solely through the lens of mistakes and weaknesses (Wang, 1993).

Interrelationships, Future Careers, and Cultural Influence

As mentioned above, Chinese culture places great value on competition and achievement.

Waverly has lost her sense of value and self competency--markedly where her mother is

concerned. When the illusion of incompetence is cultivated within a child, it often stems from

believing that a parent(s) hold a low or negative opinion of them. This can cause emotional

upset, and the child becomes dependent on parental approval for the management of tasks and

problem solving. If negative parental monitoring continues, children come to question their own


abilities to be competent and good decision makers, which can easily carry into future

professional careers (Newman & Newman, 2015).

Waverly Jong: Early Adulthood--24-34 yrs.

Now a young adult woman, Waverly still spends much of her time trying to please her

mother, while her mother continues to belittle Waverly. Waverly's first marriage, was in effort to

please her mother, as she married a Chinese man. This, too, ended in failure and a divorce. Now

engaged to an American man whom she sincerely loves, Waverly has determined to stand firm in

her decisions. Even still, she continually seeks her mother's approval. While at a beauty shop

with her mother in preparation for her upcoming wedding, Waverly discloses to her mother that,

"You don't know the power you have over me. One word from you--one look--and for years I've

cried myself to sleep because nothing I do can ever, ever please you." (Wang, 1993).

The Psychological Crisis: Intimacy Vs. Isolation

The psychosocial crisis of early adulthood, is that of Intimacy versus Isolation. Intimacy

encompasses the ability to experience a loving, close relationship with others, without the fear of

self-identity loss in the process. Healthy intimate relationships hold the ability to nurture one

another's self-fulfillment and achievement needs. When this ability lacks, roots can often be

traced back to attachment issues present even in infancy (Newman & Newman, 2015).

Isolation negates intimacy with an unwillingness or fear to engage in close relationships.

While many factors can contribute to isolation, childhood experiences can impact intimacy

ability, if underlying formations of guilt, shame, or inferiority exist (Newman & Newman, 2015).


An important factor to cultivating intimacy, is forming a strong identity. When an identity is

fragile in nature, intimacy can become a frightening threat, prohibiting the ability for

transparency and closeness (Newman & Newman, 2015).

Waverly, is still caught in a psychosocial crisis with her mother even in early adulthood.

Coming close to her mother, is prohibited by feelings of inadequacy. She continually seeks her

mother's approval, and has even made important decisions such as marriage, based around this. It

continues to cause her pain over the years, and the feelings of never being able to please her

mother, has yet to subside (Wang, 1993). The resolution to this psychosocial crisis, is love.

Consisting of 10 components, one aspect of a loving relationship, is that of intimate

communication (Newman & Newman, 2015). Waverly loves her fiance' enough to stand up for

herself, and stand by who she wants and needs to be. She also loves her mother very much, and

has continued trying to resolve their conflict. In a last desperate attempt to communicate at the

beauty parlor, she reveals her deepest, vulnerable feelings, which surprisingly brings her and her

mother closer (Wang, 1993).

Development Theory: Exploring Relationships, Lifestyles, & Forming Self-Identity

Much of early adulthood is formed around the developmental tasks of more deeply

exploring relationship and work commitments, as well as lifestyles and self-identity. The success

of this time largely hinges on the ability to effectively establish intimate relationships (Newman

& Newman, 2015). As mentioned prior, a pre-curser to intimate relationships, is a self-identity

that is strong enough to approach these engagements with a positive feeling, as opposed to a


fearful one. However, in situations where intimacy and self-identity are colliding, young adults

will lean towards nurturing their self-identity first (Newman & Newman, 2015).

In Waverly's situation, the intimate relationship with her mother, is colliding with her

own self-identity and carving out her choices in life (such as co-habitation with her fiancé').

Having a long-time rocky relationship with her mother, has impaired her self-identity, and

consistently challenged the ability to form an intimate relationship with her. She has spent her

time trying to please and gain her approval, while setting herself aside. Now that Waverly is a

young adult and engaged to a man whom she loves, she is choosing to strengthen her self-

identity at the risk of further repercussions to the relationship with her mother (Wang, 1993).

Factors Affecting Behavior: Choosing a Marriage Partner with Cultural Implications

It is a commonality within the Chinese and other Asian cultures for the parents to have a

prominent voice in a marriage partner selection. Additionally, co-habitation is typically frowned

down upon (Newman & Newman, 2015). Waverly had chosen a Chinese man for her first

marriage partner in efforts to please her mother. This ended in a divorce. She has now chosen an

American man, and has lived with him prior to marriage. In a round-about-way, Waverly lets her

mother know that she is living with Rich, and subsequently makes an effort to introduce him to

her family at a home-dinner. She tries to brief him as to Asian culture, but he makes a few

mistakes. Though the family eventually accepts Rich, this does add more tension to Waverly's

relationship with her mother, as she is tossed between wanting her mother's approval while

standing by the love for her fiancé'. When Rich asks her how the dinner went, and if Waverly


told them about their marriage plans, Waverly said no because, "...my mother would rather have

rectal cancer." (Wang, 2015).

Interrelationships, Future Careers, and Cultural Influence

During young adulthood, many roles are being established including occupational,

parental, and marital/life partner roles. These roles began to identify the ability to make one's

own decisions, while caring for the needs of others. Over the last 40 years, the pathway to

establishing roles has changed significantly. More career changes are being made, marriage is

taking place in the latter half of early adulthood, and lifestyles such as co-habitation is becoming

more common in the United States (Wang, 2015).

Waverly's career is not a great focus within this movie, however she is an established and

successful career woman. Her current engagement within a co-habitation circumstance has

caused her some discomfort, as it collides with her family cultural values. In this regard, Waverly

is experiencing identifying her own life style choices and roles, and becoming confident in the

ability to make her own decisions within this. Even still, she takes into consideration her

mother's views and approval. Given her sense of inferiority in her mother's eyes, this continues to

cause friction between them, as both mother and daughter are trying to cross the bridge to a new

respect and understanding between them (Wang, 2015).

Lindo Jong: Middle Adulthood--34-60 yrs.

Lindo Jong is Waverly's mother, and to understand her, is to first understand her past.

Lindo has not had an easy life, as she was given up by her mother at a young age. Promised to an


arranged marriage at the tender age of four, Lindo's mother would spend the next ten years

preparing her for this life-changing time. Her mother became critical of Lindo as a way to prime

her for her future. Lindo. Though rough in treatment at times, Lindo believed that it was not

because her mother lacked love for her, but rather, "she said these things so she would not wish

for something that was no longer hers." (Wang, 1993).

On her wedding night, Lindo recalls meeting her husband for the first time. She was

aware that her husband would hold complete authority over her, including her very happiness.

She said, "This one moment would decide for my whole life, whether fear would rule, or I

would. I decided, underneath I knew who I was. I promised myself never to forget." Lindo tried

to honor her marriage arrangement, but found both her mother-in-law and husband intolerable.

After devising a scheme, she managed to leave her situation, and move to Shanghai. Lindo felt at

peace, as she felt she had kept her promise to her mother and honored her in so doing. She felt

differently, however, about her own daughter's honor (Wang, 1993).

The Psychological Crisis: Generativity Vs. Stagnation

With middle adulthood, comes the psychosocial crisis of Generativity versus Stagnation.

Generativity urges one to maintain their environment based on life experiences. Caring for others

continues while self-identity goes through more cultivating processes. If a strong value system is

present, children of middle-aged adults may find themselves following their positive

exampleship. Energies may turn towards social and community involvement, as well as making

improvements in careers or interpersonal relationships. During this time, focus is also placed on

maintaining generational family values and customs (Newman & Newman, 2015).


While generativity is the essence of positive productivity, stagnation is void of

psychological growth or activity. Multiple role overload can challenge coping abilities, and

ensuing stagnation may partly hinge on an individual's personality. Negativity and lack of

experiential openness can challenge social relationships and lead to depression. If one is caught

up in a narcissistic outlook, they may have misplaced values that serve only the self, regardless

of the hurtful impacts on others around them ( Newman & Newman, 2015).

Lindo is exhibiting generativity in many ways. She is actively involved in the Joy Luck

club and family events. She is certainly a strong woman, cultivated from a hard past. While she

is a strong role-model for family values in one way, her inability to embrace the differences in

her daughter's chosen lifestyle is causing a stagnation in their relationship. It could be said, that

Lindo leans slightly towards a narcissistic outlook, as she views the honor she showed towards

her own mother and childhood circumstance as superior to that of her daughter's choices.

Because of this, she hurts her daughter by berating her and making her feel inferior, as opposed

to seeing how much her daughter tries to please and honor her (Wang, 1993). The resolution to

this psychosocial crisis, is that of caring (Newman & Newman, 2015). If Lindo can place caring

for her daughter above clashes in values, she can overcome stagnation and find generativity in

their relationship once again.

Developmental Theory: Nurturing Intimate Relationships

Though developmental tasks of middle adulthood include both career management and

relationship care, the nurturing of intimate relationships take precedence in the prediction of

overall well-being (Newman & Newman, 2015). As it applies to parent-child relationships, much


is brought along with the adult including a cultivated history of ego strengths, ways of

coping/defense mechanisms, outcomes of prior psychosocial crises, and an established value

system. Within this, the requirement to adapt to the unique temperament and development of

their own children can challenge sensitive flexibility. Middle-hood adults will continue to learn

new parenting skills as they meet resistance from the continually evolving self-identity of their

own developing children (Newman & Newman, 2015).

In Lindo's case, there is no doubt that she is challenged by the evolving relationship with

her daughter. Lindo has a personal history with strongly established values and cultivated

defense mechanisms. While the career aspect of her life is not a focus in this film, the

relationship with her daughter is a defined aspect of importance, and contributes to continued

tension and a sense of unhappiness. Her defense mechanisms, resulting in support withdrawal

and belittling of her daughter, prohibits sensitive flexibility at this point in time. However, these

growth challenges on both sides are not uncommon, and can be worked through. With Waverly

standing her ground, and communication taking a more intimate turn between them, a

generativity can remain present in their relationship, which can result in new-found respect, trust,

and closeness.

Factors Affecting Behavior: Adult Children with Cultural Implications

Given the focus on evolving intimate relationships, middle adulthood faces challenges of

transitional relationships with young adult children. As roles begin to change, self-assessment

can occur on the side of middle-aged adults, as they evaluate their own parenting based on

choices their children are now making (Newman & Newman, 2015). A decision that holds


family prominence, is that of marriage or co-habitation. Introducing a new person into a family

unit brings new with it new roles and acceptance. Additional challenges may be incurred if there

is significant group/cultural differences--including different belief and value systems (Newman

& Newman, 2015).

There is no doubt that Lindo is facing an adjustment to her daughter's fiance'. As an

American, he is not fully acclimated to the Asian culture, and makes his fair share of mistakes.

However, the core issue between Lindo and her daughter does not reside in this relationship

aspect, as will be explored in the following.

Interrelationships and Cultural Influence

For those young adults who have left their home environment, but not yet married,

middle adulthood parents are still turned to for supportive advice. While trying to maintain

intimacy in the face of young adults forming self-identity, set family values can be challenged in

the face of experimentation in newly formed roles and choices of lifestyles (Newman &

Newman, 2015).

As mentioned above, Lindo's daughter choosing to cohabitate with, and marry a man of a

different culture is not what disturbs her in itself. Rather Lindo feels a sense of disrespect and

thinks her daughter does not care about her opinions or honorably value her as a mother. In an

ice-breaking conversation before the wedding, Lindo expresses not attending the wedding--that

perhaps she is not good enough for the new husband's family. She thinks to herself, "She is

looking at me, but doesn't see me. She is ashamed--so ashamed to be my daughter." (Wang,

1993). Lindo talks to her daughter about her own mother. She discloses how much she wanted to


be like her, all the words of hope her mother had for her, and how she would never forget these.

when her daughter questions her about liking her fiance', Lindo says of course she likes him, that

this is far from the issue. When she hears in return that her daughter feels she can never please

her no matter how hard she wishes and tries, Lindo responds, "Now...now you make me happy."

From this conversation, it can be seen that much miscommunication existed between

mother and daughter--an integral aspect of intimate relationships. Additionally, it can now be

understood that it was important to Lindo to feel valued as a mother. She did not want her

daughter to feel ashamed of her, and wanted to be honored as she had honored her own mother.

The fact that Lindo was raised in her cultural motherland, and in a different era, posed barriers of

understanding and acceptance. Fortunately, these appear to be resolving between them.

Functioning as a Family Unit

The functioning of a family unit, depends somewhat on definition of household and style

of living. A household provides a structure that is not only physical in nature, but also

psychological. There should be a sense of care-giving present, good leadership skills, creative

problem solving, and a sense of self-reliance. A healthy family environment should promote

growth and positive mental health, and foster social competence as well as emotional well-being

(Newman & Newman, 2015).

In this family's case, functioning is going fairly well. There is a sense of closeness,

nurturing, good-will, and acceptance. The only existing trouble lies within Lindo's and Waverly's

relationship, which is in a normal transitional phase. Communication needs to be focused on, to

continue improving their mother-daughter relationship.


Waverly: Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence

As Waverly moves forward into Early Adolescence, she will face a new psychosocial

crisis of Group Identity versus Alienation. With this, tension will rise between desires to form

her self-identity, with that of maintaining environmental/family connections. Culture can impact

this, depending on collectivism or individualistic views (Newman & Newman, 2015). In

Waverly's family case, collectivism is the cultural focus, which will expect her to place self-

identity behind that of family identity.

Waverly: Young Adulthood to Middle Adulthood

As Waverly again moves forward into Middle Adulthood, a new psychosocial crisis of

Generativity versus Stagnation will arise. She will have the opportunity to re-examine her self-

identity, and may be challenged with multiple family and social roles. If she is able to apply

critical thinking and creative problem solving, she will find herself continually growing.

However, if she is not able to cope at that time, she may withdrawal and experience a form of

stagnation and her life coming to a standstill (Newman & Newman, 2015). With caring for

others being the resolution to this psychosocial crisis, Waverly most likely will find herself

caring for her others, and maintaining collectivism family values.

Lindo: Middle Adulthood to Later Adulthood:

As Lindo moves forward into Later Adulthood, she will experience a psychosocial crisis

of Integrity verses Despair. During this time, reconciliation is sought in satisfaction with one's

life, hopes, and dreams. A sense of coherence may be formed that finds optimistic meaning and


acceptance of life's achievements, regrets, and years yet left to be lived. Despair may arise, if

Lindo no longer feels of value to her family with age, or if past regrets outweigh past

satisfaction. Introspection and reminiscing can aid in this adjustment, and also in passing on

family values and wisdom to younger generations (Newman & Newman, 2015). Given Lindo's

culture and life history, it will be important for her to maintain a central role and source of

honored wisdom, within her family unit.

Wellness and Resilience

One way to assess this family's wellness, would be turning towards the Indivisible Self

Model. This models considers local contexts (such as family), and examines sub-contexts within

this which may be positively or negatively affecting self-wellness as a whole (Meyers &

Sweeney, 2008). Sub-factors which could be addressed would be thinking, emotions, control, the

coping self, and self-worth/realistic beliefs. In Lindo and Waverly's relationship, thinking needs

to expand to one of a positive and open-mind. They need to consider one another's point of view,

while being willing to creatively problem solve their differences. Emotionally, they need to come

more in touch with their own inner barriers, and be able to effectively communicate these to one

another. Positive coping strategies need to be adopted when moving with life transitions, while

both mother and daughter maintain a sense of control within their own self-identity and life

plans. They each need to cultivate confident identity with their own self-worth, and rely less on

one another to find validation and confirmation of this.

Resilience encompasses the ability to overcome environmental hurdles in the face of

hardship. One aspect of resilience, is that of developing a sense of coherence (SOC). A sense of


coherence aids in developing both control and confidence within environmental contexts. Girls

seem particularly prone to developing SOC through measures of risk and life experiences

(Evans, Marsh, & Weigel, 2010).

Lindo and Waverly both seem to have strong personalities. They both have experienced

challenges in their youth, and although these have hindered their intimate relationship ability in

some ways, it has given them the resilient ability to remain strong enough in their own self-

identities to function in their world at large. By developing a compassionate understanding and

respect of one another, their intimate relationship can turn to one that is both strong and

influential for generations in their family yet to come.

Conclusion

As can be seen through the analytical breakdown of these two characters, life events can

impact age-related development, and carry over to subsequent stages. Problems left unresolved

do remain an issue, and will either result in a negative resolution of psychosocial crisis, or propel

one towards the positive. Additionally, unresolved issues can impact intimate relationships,

though can be addressed through positive and open-minded communication. When one aspect of

wellness is impaired, other aspects of overall self wellness is also affected. A domino affect can

occur, though can survive if a sense of resiliency is intact. Overall, challenges and hardships do

not have to be a breaking point, but rather can be the life components that strengthen individuals

and families for the better!


References

Evans, W. P., Marsh, S. C., & Weigel, D. J. (2010). Promoting adolescent sense of coherence:

Testing models of risk, protection, and resiliency. Journal Of Community & Applied

Social Psychology, 20(1), 30-43. doi:10.1002/casp.1002

Myers, J. E., & Sweeney, T. J. (2008). Wellness counseling: The evidence base for practice.

Journal of Counseling and Development : JCD, 86(4), 482-493. Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/219029297?accountid=27965

Newman, B., Newman, P. (2015). Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach.

Stanford, CT: Cengage Learning

Wang, W. & Hollywood Pictures, (1993). The Joy Luck Club. United States.

Tamela M. McGhee--COUN5004--Unit 8 Assignment

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