SWK105e: In Singapore, There has been an Increased Lifetime Prevalence: Human Growth and Life-Span Development Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Assignment Brief:

There is no health without mental health” – WHO, 2016.

In Singapore, there has been an increased lifetime prevalence of almost all mental disorders over the last decade. Unfortunately, adults still remain significantly less help-seeking than youth.

In this assignment, you will identify and discuss various psychosocial developmental theories in relation to depression in young, middle and late adulthood. By applying those theories in the cases illustrated below, analyze the relevant phenomena and life stages that can better assist one’s understanding of how depression may be triggered due to various developmental phases.

a) Young Adulthood

A 25-year-old married man works as an IT executive and lives with his parents at their home. His wife lives with them and works as a pre-school teacher. The couple is expecting their flat to be ready in two years’ time. The couple is also expecting their first child in two months.

He is planning to undertake a course of study to improve his skillset and income, but this would mean 1 year of night classes and he is concerned as his wife and mother do not get along well. He feels it is difficult to converse with his wife as she seems more temperamental through her pregnancy. His relationship with his parents has become increasingly strained as he feels they have not been very excited about the upcoming birth. He has started to have a few beers every evening before coming home as a way of relaxing.

b) Middle Adulthood

A 55-year-old woman (mother to the above man) has been a homemaker and cared for her only son for most of her married life. She started work as a cashier at the nearby supermarket 4 years ago and enjoys work. She has recently asked for extra shifts as a way to avoid returning home. She struggles with the relationship with her daughter-in-law whom she finds too opinionated. She feels distant from her husband whom she finds aloof. She used to be very active with Zumba and Line Dancing at the local community center where she had met many friends. Nowadays, she feels more tired after work and usually stays at home watching Korean dramas and playing mobile casino games.

c) Late adulthood

A 70-year-old man (husband to the above woman) who has retired after 50 years at the same job, only to be left with little to do. He used to run a small motorbike mechanic business and would spend a lot of time in his workshop. He would have liked to continue working but his eyesight has been deteriorating in the last few years and he has not been able to keep up with the pace of younger mechanic workshops. He feels upset that his son was not interested to take over the business and had to sell it at a big loss. He feels distant from his wife whom he feels is constantly complaining about his daughter-in-law. He now spends his free time visiting her older sister, 77, who has terminal cancer.