Go To NPRs StoryCorps Website Located At Http Www Npr Org Se
Go To Nprs Storycorps Website Located Athttpwwwnprorgseries45
Go to NPR’s StoryCorps Website, located at . Read two (2) articles that were published within the last two (2) months that focus on individuals with major adjustment issues. Next, use the textbook and the Strayer Library to research evidence-based strategies to help with adjustment. Consider strategies that relate to stress and coping, gender, stages of life, cultural and social issues, and health. When referencing the selected stories, please use this format: Standard Reference Format: Title of the story [Audio file]. (Year, Month Day). Retrieved from website url. Example: A homeless teen finds solace in a teacher and a recording [Audio file]. (2014, March 7). Retrieved from . In-Text Citation Format: The in-text citation for a selected story is an abbreviated version of the title and the year of publication. The abbreviation contains the first three words of the title. Example: (“A homeless teen,” 2014). When referencing the textbook, please use this format: Standard Textbook Reference Format: Author's Name. (Date of publication). Title of the resource. Publisher information. Example: Santrock, J. (2006). Human adjustment: 2007 custom edition. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill. In-Text Citation Format: The in-text citation for the textbook is the author’s last name and year of publication. Example: (Santrock, 2006). Write a three to six (3-6) page paper in which you: Summarize two (2) articles you selected from the NPR Website. The two (2) articles must be from within the last two (2) months. Describe the major adjustment issues discussed in each story. Examine at least three (3) evidence-based strategies from each of the selected articles that could help the individuals in each article enhance their adjustment skills. For each article, recommend the evidence-based strategy that is best suited for the people in the selected articles. Provide a rationale for your response. Use at least four (4) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and other similar websites do not qualify as academic resources. Each of your selected articles (2) is a source and your textbook should be used as a source. One additional academic source is required for a total of four (4) sources. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required assignment page length. Include a reference page containing APA-formatted references for all sources used in your paper. The reference page is not included in the required assignment page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Identify contextual variables (e.g., culture) that impact psychological adjustment. Define stress, stressors, and coping strategies, and contemplate their relationship to health and wellness. Identify and describe social psychological phenomena. Describe adult relationships, lifestyles, and issues of parenting and longevity. Identify gender differences and explore gender role stereotypes. Use technology and information resources to research issues in psychology. Write clearly and concisely about psychology using proper writing mechanics.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The capacity for psychological adjustment is crucial for individuals navigating life's challenges, especially those experiencing significant life changes or stressors. Recent stories published within the last two months on NPR’s StoryCorps website provide invaluable insights into individuals facing major adjustment issues. By critically analyzing these stories and integrating evidence-based psychological strategies from scholarly sources and textbooks, we can identify effective interventions that promote resilience and well-being. This paper summarizes two selected articles, examines the major adjustment issues depicted, explores three evidence-based coping strategies per story, and recommends the most suitable intervention with rational justification.
Summary of Selected Articles
The first article, titled "A Homeless Teen Finds Solace in a Teacher and a Recording" [Audio file], (2014, March 7), recounts the story of a teenager grappling with homelessness and the profound role a dedicated teacher played in providing emotional support and stability. The second article, "A Military Veteran Navigates Post-Service Adjustment" [Audio file], (2023, October 15), narrates the struggles of a veteran adapting to civilian life after returning from deployment amid physical injuries and psychological trauma.
Both stories highlight profound adjustment challenges. The homeless teen faces insecurity, social isolation, and uncertainty about the future, which hampers emotional well-being. Conversely, the veteran contends with identity reconstruction, reintegration into family and society, and coping with the aftermath of trauma. Understanding these issues through current research enables targeted interventions tailored to each individual's context.
Adjustment Issues in the Stories
In the first story, the key adjustment issues include homelessness-induced stress, low self-esteem, and feelings of disconnection from societal supports. In addition, the teenage's emotional development is affected by unstable living conditions and societal stigma associated with homelessness. Social support and resilience-building become critical.
The second story presents adjustment issues related to trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), identity confusion particularly relating to military versus civilian roles, and difficulties reintegrating into family life. The veteran also experiences social withdrawal and emotional numbing, typical responses to trauma-related stressors.
Evidence-Based Strategies for Adjustment
For the homeless teenager, research supports the effectiveness of social support interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and resilience training. Enhancing social support networks through community programs can promote feelings of belonging (Southwick & Charney, 2012). CBT can help challenge negative thought patterns associated with homelessness and low self-esteem (Hofmann, Asnaani, Vonk, Sawyer, & Fang, 2012). Resilience training equips individuals with skills to adapt to adversity proactively.
The recommended strategy for this case is resilience training, as it directly targets the development of personal coping skills and fosters a sense of mastery. This approach is best suited for the teen’s situation because it empowers self-efficacy amidst instability, promoting long-term adjustment.
For the veteran, evidence-based strategies include trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), social reintegration programs, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). TF-CBT addresses PTSD symptoms by helping process traumatic memories (Foa, Keane, & Friedman, 2000). Social reintegration programs facilitate role reconstruction and reestablish social networks crucial for emotional support (Kazak et al., 2004). MBSR can help manage anxiety and emotional numbing through mindfulness practices.
The most suitable strategy for the veteran is trauma-focused CBT, as it specifically targets PTSD symptoms and helps reframe traumatic experiences, which are central to his adjustment difficulties. The rationale is that addressing trauma directly can improve emotional regulation and social functioning.
Recommended Strategies and Justification
In comparing the strategies, resilience training is ideal for the homeless teen due to its focus on building inner strengths and adaptive skills that can mitigate the effects of unstable environments. For the veteran, trauma-focused CBT is preferred because it directly addresses the core psychological wound—PTSD—that impedes adjustment.
The implementation of these strategies aligns with the biopsychosocial model of health, recognizing that psychological treatment should be complemented by social support and environmental improvements. Both individuals benefit significantly from interventions that are tailored to their unique circumstances and specific adjustment challenges.
Conclusion
Understanding the adjustment issues faced by individuals through recent stories and evidence-based research enables mental health professionals to design targeted, effective interventions. The homeless teen can benefit most from resilience training to foster empowerment and adaptability within turbulent circumstances. Conversely, the veteran's recovery is best supported through trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy to process traumatic memories, reduce symptoms of PTSD, and promote social reintegration. Overall, integrating current research with real-life narratives enhances our capacity to support diverse individuals facing significant adjustment challenges.