UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES OF ADOLESCENTS’ ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR Presented by: Dr. Asma Parveen

WHAT IS ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR? Abnormal behavior may be defined as behavior that is- Disturbing, Socially Unacceptable, and Maladaptive. http://www.slideshare.net

INTRODUCTION The causation of any particular behaviour pattern is tremendously complex and even with the information we do have it all but impossible to predict how given circumstances will affect given individuals. Contemporary research findings in the biological and social sciences have greatly advanced our understanding of the causes of abnormal behavior.

PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS OF ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR Psychosocial factors play a very important role in causing maladaptive behavior among adolescents by producing faulty development. Maternal Deprivation Pathogenic Family Early psychic trauma

MATERNAL DEPRIVATION Faulty development has often been observed in infants deprived of maternal stimulation (or mothering) as a consequence of either: Separation from the mother and placement in the institution. Lack of adequate mothering because mother is not able to provide care either because of not having time or having some mental problem.

EXPLANATION Institution: there is likely to be less warmth and physical contact, less in intellectual, emotional and social stimulation and lack of encouragement and help in positive learning. Lack of adequate mothering: the effects of maternal deprivation vary considerably from infant to infant and results in development of less prepared adolescents for the challenges of society.

CONTINUED…. The actual nature and extent of the damage resulting from maternal deprivation appear to depend on: The age at which deprivation first occur. The extent and duration of such deprivations. The constitutional makeup of the infant. The substitute care.

PATHOGENIC FAMILY PATTERN Faulty parent-child relationship: Rejection Over protection and restrictiveness Over permissiveness Unrealistic demands Faulty discipline Communication failure Undesirable paternal models

PATHOGENIC FAMILY STRUCTURES Maladaptive family structure: The inadequate family: this type of family is characterized by inability to cope with the ordinary problems of family living because of lack of resources. The disturbed family: because of personal instability and mental problems parents interact with others in ways that are destructive to others as well as to themselves.

CONTINUED…. c) The anti-social family: this type of family espouses values not accepted by the wide community. d) The disrupted family: disrupted families are incomplete whether as a result of death, divorce, separation or any other conditions.

EARLY PSYCHIC TRAUMA A traumatic experience is any event that causes a threat to safety. As a result an adolescent experiences high levels of emotional, psychological physical distress that disrupts their ability to function normally in day to day life. Early psychic trauma causes psychological wounds that never completely heal. The following are the common symptoms of trauma- Strong emotions such as sadness, anger, anxiety and guilt. Over-reacting to minor irritations. Repetitively thinking about the traumatic event. Disturbed sleeping patterns. Withdrawal from family and friends http://www.slideshare.net

Tips to resolve traumatic experience Encouragement to communicate without judging or advising them until they ask for your feedback. Show them that you really care for them and are genuinely interested and enjoy being with them. Negotiate changes in roles and responsibilities during recovery and be flexible. Remember adolescent is the same person they were before the event, even if they seem different.

Continues… Don’t give unsolicited response or suggestions. If asked, gently let the adolescent know that they are having a ‘normal’ reaction to a frightening experience and that in time these very strong reactions will subside.

THANK YOU….