1. Individual Development Theory Project: Leonard Pearlin Theory of Psychological Distress
Jane Li & Rany Norng

2. Agenda What a Development Theory is
Biography of Theorist: Leonard Pearlin
Leonard Pearlin’s theory: Theory of Psychological Distress
4 Steps of Pearlin’s Theory
Further explanation of how the Theory of Psychological Distress explains individual development
Example: Story of Bhatu
Weakness and Flaws

3. What is a Development Theory?
Definition: Development theory is a conglomeration or a collective vision of theories about how desirable change in society is best achieved. Such theories draw on a variety of social science disciplines and approaches.

4. Biography
Leonard Pearlin has been Graduate Professor and Senior Research Scientist at University of Maryland.
His research centers on the connection between people’s status location in society, the stresses to which they are exposed, and their health and well-being
Received: Distinguished Career Award for the Practice of Sociology from the American Sociological Association in (1998)
Reveived: Award for Career Contributions to the Sociology of Mental Health, from the ASA Section on the Sociology of Mental Health (1996)

5. Pearlin’s Theory Theory of Psychological Distress
Adulthood is not a series of transitions but rather of continuous change
Believes that people can change life structure at any time
Says that changes in behaviour result from socialized responses to a common social clock rather than from age-linked inner changes

6. 4 Steps of Pearlin’s Theory
Four elements that determine the path
that individual lives will take
1. Individual Characteristics
Gender, race, intelligence, family background, personality, education
2. Skills for coping with stress
3. Availability of social support networks
4. Nature and timing of stress that requires response

7. 4 Steps of Pearlin’s Theory

8. Further explanation
Leonard Pearlin’s theory of Psychological Distress had challenged social scientists to test his theory by comparing development in diverse sample groups in different cultures and times. This Theory is even noticeable sometimes in early adulthood due to the desire to achieve dreams/ goals. He believes that there are no stages but that individuals are put into the same circumstances and stresses which allow them to change such as leaving school starting new job and getting married.

9. Example: Story of Bhatu
Bhatu is a student from India that came to Canada since he was 16. His parents are traditional and put great hope on him. Bhatu is an honour student every year and he wants to be a doctor in the future. But when he became 20 years old, he’s been arranged to marry a girl following his parents’ wish, even though he never liked that girl. They had a baby after the marriage and his wife became a full time housewife and at that time, Bhatu was still in school.

10. Example: Story of Bhatu
He can’t handle the life between school and family. He feels stressed out and his GPA at school started dropping down drastically, and also has to face financial struggles because now he has a baby to take care of. He tries to reach help so he joins a support group at school and had consulting appointments several times. Teachers and friends around him are being really supportive and gave him a lot of advice. Finally, they convinced his wife to go find employment, therefore Bhatu can spend time focusing on his studies. Bhatu keeps working part time and full time at school, his wife works full time. Their situation is getting better. Bhatu’s stress lever is slowly reducing every day.

11. Weakness and Flaws
He believes that people can manipulate or change the life structure at specific given times.
He disagrees with the stage theory of Erik Erikson, which believes that every individual goes through many stages in the phase of adulthood.
He strongly believes that early adulthood is the stage of acting upon.

12. Reference:
Department of Sociology, University of Maryland. Leonard Pearlin Biography. Retrieved from:
Holloway, M. (2003). Leonard Pearlin's Theory of Psychological Distress. In Individuals and families in a diverse society. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.