Unsuccessfully Mastered Developmental Tasks and Stages that may Contribute to Behaviors Exhibited by “Troubled Teens”: Installment One
Erikson’s (1963) psychosocial theory asserts that, throughout the life cycle, individuals must successfully master specific developmental tasks and stages in order to possess the ability to live in harmony with society and create and maintain healthy relationships. The psychosocial approach seeks to understand the internal experiences that are the products of interactions between the developing individual, formation of identity, and environmental and social factors (Newman & Newman, 2003). This understanding of the formation of identity and the psychosocial stages all humans must undertake, either successfully or unsuccessfully, is well documented and integrated throughout several therapeutic intervention strategies. It also increases insight as to how to better connect and work with adolescents who may be experiencing difficulties. Focusing on psychosocial developmental tasks and stages, not simply behavioral challenges, can inform those who care for adolescents as to the underlying factors that could contribute to core pathologies and maladaptive coping and defense mechanisms; these mechanisms or maladaptive coping strategies may manifest in behaviors that place the adolescent at odds with society and/or their family systems.
The heartening news is that ineffective or destructive behavioral patterns can be successfully treated through specific therapeutic intervention strategies, especially if addressed prior to adulthood. At times, the most effective means of correcting harmful behavioral/internal patterns in teens is through the utilization of a wrap-around therapeutic residential program, such as the approach implemented at Turning Winds Academic Institute. This is often true because many troubled teens will not remain consistent in their efforts to comply with, or personally invest in, traditional therapy or personal growth changes.
Each life stage, beginning in infancy, brings a normative crisis that can result in the creation of a new set of social and internal abilities. These abilities enhance the individual’s capability to successfully advance to the next psychosocial developmental stage (Newman & Newman, 2003). Without the tools to master each stage, the mastery of following stages is impaired. Therefore, the adolescent, or adult, can remain fixed at an earlier psychosocial developmental stage without the internal means to move towards stability, identity, and maturity. Upcoming postings will explore relevant developmental stages and the outcome of successful or unsuccessful mastery of these stages.
Randi Michaels, MA, LCPC, NCC
Lead Therapist, Turning Winds Academic Institute.
References
Erikson, E. H. (1963). Childhood and society (2nd ed.). New York: Norton.
Newman, B. M. and Newman, P. R. (2003). Development through life: A psychosocial approach. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
