Development Conceptualization: Case Study of Carlos

Introduction
The development of an individual begins from birth to late adulthood. The adolescent
stage registers rapid individual growth in several facets, such as social, biological, and
psychological areas (Sanders,2013). The individual develops abstract thinking and the ability to
form and cement relationships, which is helpful in later years (World Health Organization,
2020). The case of Carlos presents development challenges from adolescence to late adulthood
that affected the social and cognitive faculties of Carlos. This paper examines the adolescent,
young, middle, and late adulthood concerning behavioral, psychosocial, biological, and cognitive
theories in Carlos’s life experiences.
Development concerns of Adolescence
Adolescence is characterized by emotional, psychosocial, and cognitive development of
an individual (Sanders, 2013). The adolescent stage is classified as a rapid phase in human
development (World Health Organization,2020). At this stage, the child grows biologically, and
psychological maturity slows down. It is often described as the puberty stage. According to
behavioral theory by McNeely & Blanchard (2010), the individual characteristics (genes) and the
environment influence the changes that take place during this stage. The children start to move
outside the family confines and relate more with their peers. During this time, the child develops
knowledge and skills and learn to manage their emotions and future relationships. Adolescents
tend to develop advanced reasoning skills such that they can make rational judgments concerning
a specific subject matter (World Health Organization, 2020). These attributes acquired will be
valuable in enabling the child to cope with adolescent and adult roles. Neurodevelopmental
changes linked to hormonal systems influence the psychosocial faculties of a child. As explained

Development Conceptualization: Case Study of Carlos 3
biologically, the limbic part of the brain that is responsible for pleasure and emotional response.
There are also changes in the prefrontal cortex that influences the process of decision making,
impulse, and future planning (Sanders, 2013). Their perception of risk does not necessarily stop
them from engaging in risky behavior such as drug abuse (WHO,2020). According to Erikson
(1975), adolescents derive their emotional satisfaction by engagement in early sex and alcohol.
They may not be prepared to avoid risks by using protection or being firm in their decisions.
Psychosocial development seeks to establish autonomy, identity, and future relationships.
In early adolescence (12-14 years), the children form same-sex groups and have little concern for
family activities and parental advice (Sanders, 2013). As such, they are concerned with clothing,
hairstyles, and participation in activities such as sports that make them fit with their peers.
Through age 15-17, the peers become mixed-sex and determine the social relations of the
adolescent (Sanders, 2013). They tend to develop short romantic relationships while looking for
ideal partners. Family conflict arises since they experience independent functioning.
Carlos describes his teenage years as ‘confusing’ and ‘lonely,’ which implies that he
struggled to cope with the biological and social changes that come with adolescence. It is quite
sad that Carlos felt that he could not associate with his peers due to a lack of participation in
sports. Notably, he also struggled with his studies that he hardly managed an average grade of a
B or C due to lack of interest in academics. Carlos also, did not take part in co-curricular
activities due to the financial strain of the family. The fact that he babysat his sisters most of the
time implies that he didn’t have time to interact with his peers and develop an interest in studies.
Carlos started looking for ways to prevent boredom by playing video games and interacting with
the few friends he had. His friends were also ‘misfits’; hence he could quickly identify with them
since they could not fit in the academically smart and athletic students. He also reported that he

Development Conceptualization: Case Study of Carlos 4
didn’t get along with the parents and often argued with them, which is a sign of rebellious
behavior.
Carlos could not agree with the parents on the view of the world and felt that he was
misunderstood. This behavior went on to the extent that he was resentful to his parents, who
could not give him the lifestyle that his peers in school had. He was withdrawn from forming a
social relationship with the parents, as seen when he deliberately avoided contact with his
parents by staying in his room for long playing videos. Carlos had few employment opportunities
in high school. His family had one vehicle which his parents shared to travel back and forth to
work. This left little chance for Carlos to use the car to go to work. He did manage to find a job
at a local McDonald’s not far from his home and would walk or ride his bicycle. Carlos also
reported that he did not get many hours at work because of lateness. The supervisors complained
that he was not fast enough when completing orders, which would cause the customers to
complain. Carlos also engaged in risky behavior of drinking and using marijuana, which could
be attributed to the fact that it would help him forget his feeling of incompetence. He readily
agreed to a prank with his peers on vandalism with little concern for the repercussions of their
actions. He was later sentenced to community service at a homeless shelter within the
community. Carlos developed an interest in a woman who was ten years older than himself, who
was new and finding difficulties adjusting to the community. They spent time together, and he
entered into a romantic relationship with her. Thus, Carlos was able to empathize with the
struggles of the woman and went ahead to form and commit to a relationship with her.
Development concerns in young adulthood
This is the stage between 20 -40 years of age. Most of the physical development is
complete, while for men, it can extend to the age of 21. According to the psychosocial theory of

Development Conceptualization: Case Study of Carlos 5
Erik Erikson, the young adult here emerges from the search of an identity to the willingness of
merging their status to that of their peers (Erikson, 1975). The individual here is ready for
intimacy by creating partnerships and affiliations. They can face their fears even if their ego is
bruised. At this time, the individuals have finished school and begin searching for jobs. For
some, they take up full-time employment and other responsibilities since they want to grow with
societal expectations and relationships with peers (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman,2009). The
individuals adjust to the biological changes in the body and develop sexual identity. Individuals
embrace their femininity and masculinity when developing values that guide sexual behavior and
romantic relationships. The individuals here apply abstract thinking about possibilities in the
future. They have increased concern for the others hence accommodating diverse views
(MacLeod, & Brownlie, 2014).
At this stage, some of the individuals make decisions on choices related to marriage,
family, and even work before encountering life experiences that teach them to choose otherwise
(Erikson,1975). The transition of young adults to work, college education, and independent
living are non-linear, characterized by periods of non-attendance to school (Erikson,1975). Some
of the young adults tend to stay in school for more extended periods and marry later on
(Erikson,1975). However, those from less privileged households do not adhere to the sequence of
education, employment on a full-time basis, leaving home, marriage, and becoming parents as
seem with Carlos (Erikson,1975). The end of adolescence was marked by his father’s death that
could have taken a toll on him. This could have caused him to rush into marriage with the
woman he met at the shelter. Unfortunately, the marriage lasted only a few months’ because he
was not available emotionally to his wife, and they were struggling financially. Carlos went on to
do subsidiary jobs after the divorce in his 20’s since he could not find the position of his interests.

Development Conceptualization: Case Study of Carlos 6
He delved into his early behaviors of smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol, and playing video
games and an escape strategy to his emotional problems. Carlos often argued with his parents
and did not commit to other relationships. He felt intimidated by the women who may have had
better careers than himself. Carlos continued to take care of his mother as a duty when his
stepfather died when he was 26 years old, which shows some degree of indecisiveness. He only
felt some accomplishment when he bought an apartment and a car after he was hired as a
customer service agent at a national insurance company at 37 years of age. He opted for a night
shift away from colleagues from other departments, which shows that he was afraid of
socializing with other employees.
Development concerns at middle adulthood
Early adulthood comes to an end when an individual is about 28 years of age, and life
becomes more serious. This is where individuals experience a crisis at the age of thirty,
according to the behavioral theory explained by Levinson (1986). Between 28 -32 years tend to
tear up their existing structures that supported the dream of twenties to start again for the next
life. This is also the establishment phase where individuals invest in significant activities such as
family, work, and community. The individuals in their thirties to forties settle down and seek to
realize the youthful aspirations (White, Hayes, & Livesey,2005). People here make financial and
emotional investments such that they have been employed enough and have risen through
various ranks (Munley,1975). Individuals who failed to develop positive self-concept during
adolescence tend to display feelings of loneliness and emotional distancing at this stage,
according to Erikson’s psychosocial theory (Erikson,1975). Middle adulthood comes to an end
when an individual hits 60 years of age. As for Carlos, the death of his mother when he was 42
years old affected him emotionally. He drank excessively and didn’t enjoy his work until two

Development Conceptualization: Case Study of Carlos 7
years later that he had to pull himself together. Carlos continued to drink occasionally on
weekends and kept in touch with his sisters. He was jealous of his sisters, who had
accomplished their career path to having families that he did not have. He secretly regrets not
doing the same things his sisters did when he was still young and energetic.
Development concerns of late adulthood
This is a stage between the age of 60 to 65 years of age and onwards. It is the last stage of
physical changes as witnessed by loss in body mass, faculties such as sight and hearing start
diminishing (Gans,2006). It is also accompanied by low cognitive and psychoanalytic functions
characterized by memory loss and decline intellective functions (Freud,1910). Age becomes a
significant risk factor that makes individuals susceptible to Alzheimer’s and cerebrovascular
diseases. This is a stage of generativity where individuals use their work to contribute to the
wellbeing of the members of the community through voluntary activities, mentoring, and to raise
children (Gans,2006). The adults contribute to the next generation by caring for other people and
engagement in productive undertakings that have a positive influence on society. Other
individuals who have not become stable in their middle adulthood may experience ‘stagnation’
(Erikson, 1975). Such people will feel that they are not leaving a mark in the world due to less
connection with other people and less interest in productive work. Such people face the end of
their lives with depression and despair (Charles & Carstensen, 2010). Older adults of about 80
years of age become more dependent and hence experience feelings of guilt, shame, and
depression (Charles & Carstensen, 2010). They often contend with loneliness and isolation,
which impact negatively on their health and emotional wellbeing (Charles & Carstensen, 2010).
This phenomenon is witnessed as Carlos nears retirement; he revisits his dissatisfaction with his
career since he was only assigned to do menial jobs. He was not promoted during 26 years of

Development Conceptualization: Case Study of Carlos 8
service, which could be attributed to poor performance and lack of innovativeness. His lack of
assertiveness to the supervisors could have caused him the promotions since he was considered
unreliable. His vision of having money, status, and power were not realized because he lacked
the impetus to strive for success. Carlos is worried that he will not have a purpose to live after
retirement. He requires social skills to cultivate interests and hobbies after retirement.
Interventions
Adolescents require attention because all of them develop differently. Some of the
adolescents are vulnerable and can easily engage in undesirable behavior that affects their health
throughout their life (World Health Organization, 2020). The adults need to train adolescents on
the processes they experience during puberty and how to adapt to new biological changes.
Parents should also continue to provide parental guidance to the children at adolescents using an
authoritative style of leadership. They should supervise them and model healthy behaviors as
well as conflict resolution mechanisms to ensure the teenagers remain safe as they make
independent decisions. The parents should also understand the emotional and psychiatric health
of teenagers by identifying the sources of stress and the coping strategies (Sanders, 2013;
Gans,2006). The parents should also be involved in the co-curricular activities, school activities
as well as knowledge on the friends of the child to protect them against risky behavior.

Young adults should equip themselves with life skills that will allow them to handle
emotional pressures that come with work and marriage life. The parents should continuously
mentor their children even at adulthood and offer a support framework so that they don’t make
career and family mistakes that will be with them in later years. In middle adulthood, individuals
should focus on career development and acquiring skills on leadership, entrepreneurship that will
see them rise through the leadership ranks (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman,2009). They should be

Development Conceptualization: Case Study of Carlos 9
challenged to take up roles and stand out for excellence in the work environment. In case they
make mistakes here, they should not delve into depression but rather seek counseling services
and start all over again. The challenges in late adulthood are mainly attributed to a sense of
achievement of failure (White et al.,2005). Individuals who may not have realized their goals
may be susceptible to depression; hence they need constant reassurance and care. For Carlos, he
needs to be inducted into community activities that may be of interest to him. He needs social
support in developing friendships and engaging in community activities such as volunteering and
mentoring young men. Similarly, the old adults with diseases such as Alzheimer’s need constant
medical attention to manage the condition so that they can live long and do not feel guilty of
burdening relatives.

Development Conceptualization: Case Study of Carlos 10

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