StudyHub

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To prepare:
Review the following articles from the Learning Resources:
“Living happily despite having an illness: Perceptions of healthy aging among Korean
American, Vietnamese American, and Latino older adults” by Nguyen, Lee, Sorkin, and
Gibbs.
“Personality Development Across the Lifespan: Theory, Research, and Application” by
Griffin, Mroczek, and Wesbecher.
Using your potential doctoral capstone topic as a guide, identify a specific topic with which
you can incorporate Levinson’s theory on midlife development or Neugarten’s theory on aging
and one of the three diverse populations (Asian immigrants, Latino immigrants, or Native
Americans). For example, if your topic is domestic violence, a specific topic that incorporates
the above elements might be domestic violence among Latino immigrant elders.
Submit a 2- to 3-page analysis that addresses the following:
Identify your topic and its connection to a diverse population group.
In 2–3 sentences, briefly summarize the assumptions of the life span development theory you
selected.
Describe the cultural values and belief systems of the group you chose, using literature to
ground your claims.
Analyze the extent to which the assumptions of Levinson’s theory or Neugarten’s theory are
culturally relevant to the group you selected.
Relative to the topic and population, describe one social work practice recommendation from
each of the micro, meso, and macro levels when working with the population in relation to
your topic or problem.
Remember that the social work practice recommendations need to be informed by the
life span theory you selected.
Evaluate how the life span theory you selected is consistent with social work ethics.
Be sure to:
Use literature to support your claims.
Use APA formatting and style, including double-spacing

 

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

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Step-by-Step Guide: Applying Life Span Theory to a Diverse Population

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Step 1: Choose Your Focus

Start by selecting:

• A doctoral capstone topic (e.g., elder abuse, caregiver stress, chronic illness, mental health in aging populations)

• One diverse population group (Asian immigrants, Latino immigrants, or Native Americans)

Example Topic:
Caregiver burden among Latino immigrant families caring for aging parents.

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Step 2: Summarize the Life Span Theory

Choose Levinson’s theory or Neugarten’s theory:

• Levinson’s theory centers on midlife transitions, role conflicts, and life structure reassessment (e.g., how adults reevaluate life purpose between ages 40–60).

• Neugarten’s theory focuses on individuals’ perception of age norms, personal meaning in later life, and the “timing of life events.”

Write a short paragraph (2–3 sentences) summarizing your selected theory’s core assumptions.

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Step 3: Explore Cultural Values and Beliefs

Describe the core cultural beliefs of your selected group. Use at least 2 scholarly sources to support claims.

For Latino immigrants, consider:

• Strong familialism (family obligation)

• Respect for elders (respeto)

• Possible stigma around mental illness

• Language and health literacy barriers

• Cultural preference for home care over institutionalization

Cite literature such as:

• Delgado, M. (2007). Social work with Latinos.

• Nguyen et al. (2015) – from your course readings

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Step 4: Evaluate Cultural Relevance of the Theory

Explain how well the theory applies to the cultural realities of your selected group:

• Are the theory’s assumptions universal or culture-specific?

• Does the theory consider cultural norms around aging, roles, or transitions?

Example:
Neugarten’s emphasis on “on-time” vs. “off-time” life events may conflict with collectivist family timelines in Latino culture, where caregiving roles span generations.

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Step 5: Recommend Social Work Practices at 3 Levels

Use your theory to develop culturally appropriate interventions:

• Micro Level:
  Provide culturally tailored caregiver counseling to Latino adult children dealing with midlife role strain (based on Levinson’s transitions).

• Meso Level:
  Develop community-based caregiver support groups in Spanish-speaking community centers.

• Macro Level:
  Advocate for policy reform to increase Medicaid coverage for in-home elder care among immigrant families.

Make sure each recommendation connects to your selected life span theory.

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Step 6: Evaluate Ethical Alignment

Use the NASW Code of Ethics to show how the theory aligns with social work values:

• Dignity and worth of the person

• Cultural competence

• Importance of human relationships

• Advocacy and social justice

Example:
Neugarten’s attention to individual meaning in aging aligns with promoting dignity and autonomy for elder clients—an ethical priority in social work.

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Example References (APA Style):

1. Nguyen, A. L., Lee, J. A., Sorkin, D. H., & Gibbs, L. (2015). Living happily despite having an illness: Perceptions of healthy aging among Korean American, Vietnamese American, and Latino older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 36(6), 465–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2015.05.003

2. Griffin, B., Mroczek, D. K., & Wesbecher, K. (2018). Personality development across the lifespan: Theory, research, and application. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.013.26

3. Delgado, M. (2007). Social work with Latinos: A cultural assets paradigm. Oxford University Press.

4. National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2021). Code of Ethics. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics

5. Neugarten, B. L. (1976). Adaptation and the life cycle. Counseling Psychologist, 6(1), 16–20.

 

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