Reflection
Tracy had a history of trauma resulting from a series of challenges in her previous life. Her
experience with parental alcoholism, abuse by her foster parents, and homelessness may have led
her into believing that any encounter she would have with a stranger would result in harsh
judgment. At the onset of my practice, it necessitated me to exercise caution and show a high
level of empathy. Instead of kicking off straight away by what I already understood about her
situation, I showed a genuine desire to understand her situation and what she aimed at attaining
in future. At this juncture, it was prudent to disclose to her that I was supporting her in the
government’s assessment of her parenting.
In her past life, Tracy had undergone difficult challenges. However, she had shown resistance to
trauma and expressed her interest in continuing with her education. Surviving homelessness,
substance use, and maintaining a good relationship with her sister indicated that she was
determined to stay on a good path. Despite the strengths of Tracy, she had stressors that were
critical especially because she was pregnant. First, her pregnancy could cause stress, especially
because of her young age and her desire to go school in future. Jalal (2024) agrees that
pregnancy is associated with high levels of stress, which can result in mental challenges
depending on other factors such as environment and circumstances.
At the micro-level, the relationship with Lily was very crucial to Tracy. The micro-system
includes the family of Tracy and her home. The decision of Lily to accommodate Tracy and to
provide her homage was constructive. My work as a social worker included expanding the
micro-level network of Tracy and exploring other ways Lily could offer emotional support and
the parenting model. However, Lily is a mother of two also, and therefore I extended my
assessment to determining how the newborn of Tracy could be a stressor for her and her family
as well.
The macro-system seemed critical in the case of Tracy. The system comprises of the society and
the institutions that make it work. The government system and policies governing the welfare of
teenagers are crucial to the wellbeing of Tracy. My role included exploring the policies and
spelling them out to her to ensure that she felt protected and cared for by the institutions. As a
young immigrant from South Asia into Hong Kong, it is possible that Tracy experienced
marginalization. Her relationship with a Chinese partner may also have caused cultural
complexity. By asking open questions, I understood her level of cultural stress without making
any assumptions, and figured out community and peer support opportunities.
Incidentally, it was crucial to acknowledge that Tracy had developed ability to face life
especially by resolving to go back to school. At this juncture, I focused on the meso-system level
to integrate Tracy into the community. This included school, healthcare facilities, and other
social support systems. I resolved to help her reconnect with education and offer her parental
support options.
Theory
Systems Theory
This theory views Tracy’s case as a result of interaction of many systems. The ecosystems theory
includes micro system, meso system, and macro system. The micro-system includes home and
family. The immediate environment is critical in one’s behavior as it interacts every time with
the victim. The meso-system includes institutions that have a direct impact on a person. The
institutions include schools, healthcare facilities, and the social welfare agencies. The institutions
are crucial in providing education, parental guidance, and rehabilitation if need be. The macro
system includes culture, government, and society. The theory views government policies, the
cultural norms, and the social welfare system as critical in one’s experiences. This system offers
perspectives into how a young mother can be viewed in the society. The systems can be a source
of strength in one’s behavior or a cause of stress and traumatic experiences.
Cognitive-Behavioral Theory
The cognitive behavioral theory is important in understanding connect feelings and thoughts to
modify negative patterns to improve well-being. According to Chand et al. (2023), CBT can help
to modify a case’s automatic interpretations of events from negative to positive. The theory is
helpful especially if a case has gone through negative experiences before like Tracy.
References
Chand, S., Kuckel, D., Huecker, M. (2023). Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
[Link]
Jalal, S., Alsebeiy, S., Alshealah, N. (2024). Stress, Anxiety, and Depression During Pregnancy:
A Survey Among Antenatal Women Attending Primary Health Centers. Healthcare,
12(22):2227. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12222227.