Research Paper on Child Separation From Primary Caregiver

Introduction

Separation from the primary caregiver usually has some detrimental effect on the growth of a child. Even though it is a normal part of development, too much separation may affect the development patterns of a child. Separation greatly affects a child in the second year. It is more of a brain development stage rather than the start of strange behaviors. Too much separation brings about continued anxiety that is considered a disorder by the American psychological association (American Psychological Association, 2018). The essay will explore the long term impact of childhood separation from the primary caregiver, the effects on child development will also be explained and a recovery process given.

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Bandello & Michaelis, (2015) state that normal separation anxiety exists in all children, it begins at the age of eight months and reaches its peak by 18 months. After that, the separation diminishes until the child is three years of age. After three years, the child has only occasional bouts of separation anxiety that are triggered by new events such as joining preschool or having a new baby member in the family who reduces the attention that the child was getting.

Separation anxiety is thought to be caused by brain activities, as the baby matures, their brains can recognize different people, including their primary caregivers. They rank the primary caregivers as unique individuals who they can connect. Due to their underdeveloped mental processing capacity, the young ones are not able to understand that the primary caregiver does not cease to exist even when they are out of sight (Remes, Brayne & Lafortune, 2014). The low mental ability is known as lack of object permanence, the failure to project beyond what can be seen. With the attachment gained to the caregiver, breaking the attachment causes distress, and the child expresses it by crying. The fact that a child fusses or cries when the primary caregiver leaves is a sign that there is a healthy bond between the child and the caregiver and it is a sign of normal development (Remes et al., 2014). Over time as the child mental capacity increases, the child understands that it is not permanently abandoned. Babies who remain with their mothers for long may develop separation anxiety earlier as compared to those who are under different caregivers.

Prevalence of Anxiety Disorder

Research has shown that there is a higher prevalence of anxiety disorder in women as compared to men. As per Bandello & Michaelis, (2015) 4.5%-11% of the women population suffers from anxiety disorder. 3.7-9.3% of adolescents suffer from anxiety disorder (Bandello & Michaelis, 2015). The prevalence of the condition is higher in high-income nations as parents separate early from their children as they seek higher income generating activities. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 0.9% of adolescents and 2.9% of the adults suffer from anxiety disorder every year (Bandello & Michaelis, 2015). Females are twice likely to suffer from the condition when compared to men. Anxiety disorder develops from a young age, and it prolongs into adulthood, having long term effects on the person affected (Bandello & Michaelis, 2015).

Effects of Childhood Separation

People who separated from a primary caregiver at the early stages if their lives may suffer from unmanaged anxiety disorder; there are a myriad of consequences such as sleep disturbance and failure to be responsible, especially at school or the place of work. Other common issues are family and marital problems, the question of trust starts easily and thus there is usually a fear that it will happen again (Bandello & Michaelis, 2015; Remes et al., 2014). Interacting with peers will also be an issue; therefore, the person will not be able to do things that make their lives better. The inability to be accurate and do things quickly escalates to total personal failure. There is a loss of self-esteem, and the person may not lead a normal life.

Treatment of the Condition

One of the best ways to handle anxiety disorder that arises from a primary caregiver is self-care. For a young child, the separation is a normal part of development. However, too much separation can have long term effects (Bandello & Michaelis, 2015; Umemura, Jacobvitz, Messina, & Hazen, 2013). When the issue prolongs to adulthood, one of the best ways is self-care, simple things like stress management, quitting smoking, having a healthy diet and relaxation techniques will play a great role in managing the issue.

Therapies also can control the issue, for instance, cognitive behavioral therapy that modifies the negatives thoughts that one may have is essential in settling the condition. Meditation will also help to relax a person, combined with psychotherapy; they will go a long way in treating the condition. Medications that ease the symptoms of depression, antidepressants and sedatives play a great role in mitigating the issue (Umemura et al., 2013)

Client Description

Jane had separated from her family five years ago; they were apprehended at the Texas border as they tried to come over into the United States. Today, Jane is 12 years old, but she still remembers the ordeal that she faced as she was separated from her mother. Jane was separated from her mother on a cold rainy day, no umbrella, just a green raincoat that the customs and border protection had given to shield her from the pounding rains. Jane told us how she had been separated from her mother, she cried and begged, but the border patrol officer had to do his job.

On the other hand, Jane's mother had been detained; she was taken to various detention centers in a period of two weeks and finally deported. All that Jane got to know is that her mother had committed a crime by bringing her to the United States and that she had to be expelled. For her, she had to learn how best to live in a shelter from the age of seven.

At twelve years, Jane still remembers the raw details of her separation. Her emotions are still raw and her mind unforgiving. Currently, she is living with a family member, and she has never been close to her. Despite the care and attention that she receives, she never feels at home, according to her, there is more to be fulfilled. For instance, Jane keeps saying over and over again how she has trouble going to school since she misses her mother too much. Five years later after the separation, she still feels that it is her mother only who knew how to do her hair right. She still has fears of never seeing her mother again. The brutal separation from the mother always brings nightmares in her sleep.

Client Development

Normative Physical Development

At the age of seven to twelve years, boys and girls usually grow about 2 to 3 inches and gain 7 pounds per year until they hit puberty (CDC, 2018). Skeletal growth at this stage involves the child losing their deciduous teeth. Children at this age may appear slimmer than they are as the body fat is redistributed to accommodate the splurging growth.

The child is expected that at the age, they will be able to jump, skip, walk on toes and even engage in challenging physical activities. It is also at this stage that the child can dress themselves and learn how to ride a bicycle. By age nine, they can be able to control their motor skills and do a complex task such as sewing (Bandello & Michaelis, 2015; CDC, 2018). The period will see a child prefer one hand over the other.

Normative Cognitive Development

According to the CDC, 2018, there is massive brain development between the age of 7 and 12; the cognitive development of a child also increases massively. The lobes located in the front part of the brain that is responsible for planning, social judgment and ethical decisions increase in size and thus the brain functions better. If any damage to the part of the brain occurs, there are negative repercussions such as emotional outburst, the inability to plan and poor judgment. Personality may also be affected in the brain part is damaged (CDC, 2018).

Increase in the brain size enables the child to engage in a more complex cognitive task. For instance, the child will be able to perform a series of task that requires reasoning. For example, they will be able to complete a jigsaw puzzle, assemble a toy or connect parts or electrical item to an electric source. By being able to do a series of task that requires reasoning and achieving tangible results (Umemura et al., 2013).

Normative Emotional Development

At the stage, the child is more relaxed at being themselves. The parents get a reprieve from the emotional insecurity that the child has been experiencing since they are satisfied with themselves and less concern over what others think. Bandello & Michaelis, 2015 show that there is a possibility of the child being moody, as signs of puberty start to creep in, the parent can be sure that change is taking place. Due to mood swings, the child may quickly swing from anger, laughter and later contentment (CDC, 2018).

As emotions develop, the child may be cruel to siblings and peers. They may argue with anyone who tests their limits. Even though the stage may be coupled with the frequent outburst, the family remains crucial to them; girls may be prone to frequent crying. The stage marks the beginning of interest in the opposite sex; for them, it will be difficult to express their feelings. The conversations at this stage will take form through teasing and jokes.

Normative Social Development

Between the ages of 7 and 12, the sense of identity is quite strong. Identity and security are developed along the people that the child associates with. The child is confident in individuality but sometimes has a hard time positioning themselves in a group setting. The child enjoys talking with friends, and they take pleasure when spending time with people. They will often request to hang out with their peers.

Umemura et al., (2013) show that the parent is still much important to the child. They still seek the attention and approval of the parents and primary caregivers. Parents are highly ranked by children, and they may even confide in you some of their activities. The relationship is however broken when rules are set or when limits are placed.

Impact of Psychosocial Difficulty in Later Stages

The early separation had an effect on Jane, at infancy stage, her needs were not met, and this brought about the feeling of inadequacy. She still has the mentality that life owes her. At her young age, it is evident that she can never meet the dependency needs of others (Umemura et al., 2013). Moreover, there are lots of trust issues that she has to deal. Jane has trust issues and learning problems, they are close to problems with cause and effect, and they will be evident later in life.

The chances that the victim takes the victimizers role is also high, in some instances, they will play a victim of circumstance. Jane is also likely to have control issues, and in the long run, her ego may be disrupted therefore creating borderline personality issues (CDC, 2018). The lack of proper self-awareness may have a long-term effect on her, for instance, Jane cannot properly tell her home or how people of her Mexican origin look like. Listening to her, it is evident that she has language problems and the possibility of being rigid is quite high. She cannot also control aggressive impulses (CDC, 2018; Umemura et al., 2013).

At the age of 12, Jane should be able to read and write. It is expected that she should be able to create a solid relationship with peers and maintain them. It is also expected that she shows concern over her body looks and clothes. In her thinking, she should be able to develop a sense of right...