You Are A Consulting Psychologist For A Local Clinic

You Are A Consulting Psychologist For A Local Clinic And Have Been Ask

You are a consulting psychologist for a local clinic and have been asked to review an ethically complex case. Please review the PSY699 Week four discussion case file for detailed information on the case under review. In your initial post, explain how the APA Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct can be used to guide decisions in this ethically complex situation. Provide a suggested course of action for the clinic staff. Given the daughter’s age and the situation presented, integrate concepts developed from different psychological content domains to support your suggested course of action.

Be certain to use evidence-based psychological concepts and theories to support your arguments. You may wish to consider the following questions as you construct your post. Does the daughter have a right to know her diagnosis? Does the mother have a right to not disclose the diagnosis to her daughter? Does the mother have a right to privacy regarding her own diagnosis, which could be threatened if her daughter learns of her own status?

Should the staff tell the daughter if the mother does not want her to know? If the daughter wants to know more about her condition, what should the staff say? Are there other approaches the staff can take? If so, what are they? Is further information required in order for you to create an ethically sound suggested course of action?

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The ethical dilemmas faced in health psychology, particularly in sensitive cases involving minors and chronic illnesses, necessitate careful consideration of fundamental principles outlined by the American Psychological Association (APA). This case involving Tina and her daughter Victoria, both infected with HIV, illuminates critical ethical issues such as confidentiality, autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. The application of the APA Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct provides a structured framework for guiding decision-making to ensure that actions taken prioritize the well-being of the client while respecting their rights.

Application of APA Ethical Principles

The core principles of beneficence and non-maleficence compel clinicians to act in the best interest of their clients and to avoid harm. In this scenario, revealing Victoria's diagnosis could enhance her adherence to medication, potentially improving her health outcomes and preventing disease progression. Conversely, disclosing her diagnosis without her mother’s consent could cause psychological distress and harm, particularly given her young age.

The principle of respect for persons emphasizes autonomy and informed consent, yet in pediatric cases, the capacity for autonomous decision-making is developmentally limited. Thus, clinicians often rely on beneficence and parental authority to guide their actions while considering the minor’s developing autonomy (American Psychological Association, 2017). Since Victoria is only 12 years old, her cognitive and emotional maturity might be insufficient for fully informed understanding of her diagnosis, aligning with the ethical notion of protecting her from potential psychological harm.

Confidentiality and Privacy Considerations

The APA Ethical Standards affirm the importance of confidentiality, but also recognize exceptions, particularly when breaching confidentiality is necessary to prevent harm (Standard 4.01, 4.02). Tina’s right to privacy concerning her own HIV status is balanced against her daughter's right to health-related information. Ethically, withholding critical health information from Victoria could hinder her medication adherence and health outcomes, but prematurely disclosing her diagnosis could violate her mother’s wishes and psychological well-being.

Balancing Ethical Principles and Rights

In evaluating whether Victoria has a right to know her diagnosis, it’s essential to consider her developmental capacity and the potential benefits of disclosure. Developmentally, a 12-year-old possesses increasing capacities for abstract thinking and future planning, which could support understanding and emotional processing of her health status (Piaget, 1972). Knowledge of her condition might foster greater responsibility and adherence to her medication regimen, thus aligning with the principle of beneficence.

The mother’s right to privacy and her desire to protect her daughter reflect protective instincts but may conflict with the child's rights to information that directly affects her health. Ethical practice suggests that clinicians consider a goal of partial or staged disclosure—providing age-appropriate information gradually to support understanding while minimizing distress (Foreman, 2003).

Suggested Course of Action

The clinician should approach this complex situation by fostering open communication that respects both the child's developing autonomy and the familial context. An ethically sound strategy involves engaging Tina in a discussion about the importance of age-appropriate disclosure, highlighting evidence that awareness facilitates adherence and psychosocial adjustment (Kirk et al., 2004). Clinicians can advocate for a gradual disclosure process, tailored to Victoria’s maturity, ensuring that she receives appropriate information supported by psychological counseling.

This approach aligns with ethical standards emphasizing beneficence, respect for persons, and a nuanced understanding of the minor’s capacity for informed decision-making. Additionally, involving mental health professionals experienced in pediatric HIV disclosure can provide tailored interventions that minimize psychological harm while promoting health outcomes (Bharadwaj et al., 2015).

Fostering collaboration among the healthcare team, the child, and the parent can create a supportive environment conducive to honest communication. It’s essential to prepare Tina for potential emotional reactions and to develop a plan that respects her concerns while prioritizing Victoria’s health. Furthermore, ongoing assessment of Victoria's psychological well-being throughout this process is vital.

Conclusion

In cases like that of Tina and Victoria, ethical decision-making rooted in the APA Principles requires balancing respect for familial privacy, the child's right to health information, and clinical beneficence. Implementing a staged, developmentally appropriate approach to disclosure, supported by psychological and ethical considerations, provides a pathway that upholds the rights and well-being of all parties involved. Ultimately, a collaborative, empathetic response can foster trust, enhance health outcomes, and promote ethical integrity within clinical practice.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. APA.
  • Bharadwaj, R., et al. (2015). Disclosing HIV status to children: Ethical considerations and practical approaches. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 40(10), 1055–1065.
  • Foreman, M. (2003). Ethical and psychological considerations in disclosing HIV status to children. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 8(4), 167–172.
  • Kirk, S., et al. (2004). Disclosure of HIV status to children and adolescents: Psychological and ethical considerations. AIDS Care, 16(4), 531–540.
  • Piat, M., et al. (2012). Pediatric HIV disclosure: Developmentally appropriate approaches. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21(5), 747–756.
  • Piaget, J. (1972). The psychology of the child. Basic Books.
  • Schiff, M., et al. (2013). Ethical considerations in pediatric HIV disclosure. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 32(5), 454–459.
  • Sherr, L., & Muyeen, S. (2006). Disclosing HIV status to children: A review of ethical dilemmas. Child: Care, Health and Development, 32(4), 329–337.
  • UNAIDS. (2020). Children and HIV/AIDS: The challenge of disclosure. UNAIDS Reports.
  • World Health Organization. (2013). Guideline on HIV disclosure counseling for children up to 12 years old. WHO Publications.

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