A Case Study of a School Child with Emotional and Behavior Problems treated using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Fatima Sana ( fatima.sana@umt.edu.pk ) School of Professional Psychology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4873-384X Sara Subhan Research Article Keywords: School Child, Behavioral, Problems, Cognitive, Distortions Posted Date: September 6th, 2022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1970357/v1 License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Read Full License Abstract Feeling is something that makes one’s thought patterns. If the feelings are like I am not good enough, I am not perfect, and I am tired of feeling inadequate, then it’s time to think why someone is treating oneself like substandard and finds a way to modify this unconstructive thinking. And for modification of thinking, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been effectively used by revolving around A-B-A design model. The current case study of N.P. 12 years old girl with unconstructive thought patterns (such as felt inferior among class fellows and aggravated of sarcastic comments of class teacher). Counselling therapy consisted of 8 sessions. Psychological Assessment revealed that revealed that the academic performance of the child was moderate, severe emotional and behavior problems as well as overall counselling and interventional plan revealed that reduction in the intensity of emotional and behavioral symptoms throughout the course of counselling therapy. This case study exhibits the effectiveness of CBT for individual treatment of unconstructive thought patterns. Keywords: School Child, Behavioral, Problems, Cognitive, Distortions. Introduction Adolescence stage is known as the process of continual development. Adolescents face many difficulties and challenges during this continual development and growth period (Saleem & Mahmood, 2011) that includes physical growth changes, parental prospects, role identification, and social growth (Amoah et al., 2021; Block & Robins, 1993; Saleem & Mahmood, 2011). New challenges, constantly changing emotional and social demands may possibly put children and adolescents at severe risk of developing behavioral and emotional problem (Caspi et al., 2000; López-Bueno et al., 2021). Usually, many of these problems and difficulties have a tendency to diminish with time; however, some if not handled appropriately, perhaps cause severe and serious physical, behavioral, emotional, social, or academic problems that can later in life cause stress for children, families, schools, and society (Gelfand & Drew, 2003; Hong et al., 2018). Students experience many adjustments related problems, when they get admitted in new school. Since many years, there are transformations in school’s rules and procedures, teaching, performance expectations, and peers. Mainly, the change of school and adjusting in a new school is always challenging and create problems, specifically when a student is not good enough to adjust according to change. Essentially, students perhaps encountered problems while adjusting based on three prime areas, such as academic, social interaction, and emotional reaction to their original atmosphere (Gebhard, 2012). Furthermore, students in new school possibly be experienced lack of social support, language barriers, unfamiliar and inaccessible resources (Smith & Khawaja, 2011; Sullivan & KashubeckWest, 2015) that may often exhibit loneliness, isolation, and depression (Wei et al., 2007). Adjustment in school factually has been raised in terms of children’s accomplishment and progress (Birch & Ladd, 1996; Furrer & Skinner, 2003). This consequence is crucial; however, being limiting it actually causes exploration for antecedents and events in children’s environment that perhaps affect adjustment in new environment. Emotional and behavioral problems often result into deferred school progress, adjustment problems, school refusal, dropping out of schools, social 2 incompetence, low self-esteem and self-confidence, lack of happiness, feelings of being isolated, intrapersonal and interpersonal problems (Allison et al., 2019; Asher et al., 1984; Bernstein & Garfinkel, 1986; Bos et al., 2010; Byrd et al., 1997; Boulton & Smith, 1994; Chansky & Kendall, 1997; Egger et al., 2003; Hickin et al., 2021; Konu et al., 2002; LaGreca et al., 1988; McClelland et al., 2020; Orvaschel et al., 1997; Parker et al., 2006; Sadia & Mehmood, 2011; Yang & Zhang, 2018; Zima et al., 2000). Therefore, evidently it is suggested that emotional and behavioral problems in school children may perhaps have serious impacts. Further, early and timely identification of these problems, then proper interventional steps may be helpful in handling of them. So, in the present case study, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been found very effectual in managing the emotional and behavioral problems such as aggressive reactions, adjustment in school, lack of selfconfidence, self-criticism, and social incompetence. Case Report The child N.P., 12 years old girl was the student of 6th grade. The child was referred by her class teacher for the purpose of psychological assessment and management of presenting problems as lack of concentration in studies, adjustment problems in school, low and sad mood, least interest in school activities, and unfriendly attitude with class fellows (specifically with class monitors). She tried to challenge the role and responsibilities of class monitors and always ended up with fight. The child was interviewed by a counselor and she reported that eight months back she was newly admitted to this school. Everyone was new to her and she faced difficulty in adjusting to new environment and interacting with peers. In her old school, she was the class monitor because of her excellence in final exams. She used to share her every single query with teachers like academic queries, home queries, etc. She had a lot of friends with whom she spent time and play; also, her friends liked her as a class monitor for her unbiasedness. She enjoyed reading Urdu story books and loved to help others. The child reported that her old friends used to help each other in home work difficulty if they needed to. After eight months, she admitted to new school after the completion of fifth class. In initial days at new school, she tried to make friends and wanted to create a bond with teachers, but they all found her annoying, did not accept her and using previous reasons to put her down. She had no interest in extracurricular activities. According to child, whenever, she tried to share her problems with teachers regarding incomplete homework, since her mother was ill and she had to do all the home chores; however, her teacher did not believe her. The student belonged to a middle socio-economic family, having 6 family members consisting of 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Her one brother amongst siblings was married and lived his own. The child was the second born in the family and elder among sisters. The father of the child had grocery shop and had primary education. The mother of the child was not educated, but she always supported her in decisions, and she had always been a beloved daughter of her mother. Further, the child shared a strong bond with her father and mother because she reported that they both understood and encouraged her regarding teachers and class fellows’ behavior. The child reported weak bonding with siblings. She wanted to be affectionate and caring towards her siblings, but the incidents at school made her angry and vulnerable that’s why she found her siblings annoying and irritating all the time. 3 During history taking, the child seemed anxious, sad, and tensed and she was not maintaining an eye contact; also, sat on the edge of the chair and continuously fidgeting with her hands. Her tone of voice was of low pitch. She was tidy and wearing neat uniform. Her head was covered with scarf. The child had no idea about her problems. During initial sessions, the counselor introduced herself and explained the role of counselor to make her comfortable and nervous-free. Provisional Formulation Based on initial history, it was concluded that the child’s inherited traits throughout her early years of education made her brilliant in every aspect of life like excelling in exams to be a class monitor and sharing every single query with her old teachers and friends, because she considered them as her helping hands perhaps have predisposed the problem in adjusting in new school. Subsequent, when the school changed, she experienced new environment and found new people around her that perhaps have created hurdles for her to share and express herself, the reason could be higher expectations and higher level of education precipitated the problem. Further, no friends, no badge of class monitor on her slash, and no understanding from teacher are perpetuating the problem. The close bond with parents might serve as protective factor and no bonding with younger siblings because of displacement of anger on them perhaps have created risks factors that maintained the problem. Assessment For psychological assessment, Behavioral Observation (Ivey et al., 2014), Counselling Interview (Nelson-Jones, 2005) with the teacher and child, Subjective Unit Distress Scale (SUDS; Wolpe, 1969) for the presenting problems, Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA, Arndorfer & Miltenberger, 1993) to collect and analyze the function of behavior, and School Children Problems Scale (SCPS, Saleem & Mehmood, 2011) to assess the emotional and behavioral problems along with interventional plan was done with the child. Behavior Observation The student was observed (Ivey et al., 2014) during counselling interview, in class room and in play-ground. During classroom, it was observed that she was a regular student and active during class lectures, but her class mates were not interactive with her. Counselling Interview The counselling interview (Nelson-Jones, 2005) with the teacher and child was focused on the development of problems as well as eliciting the predisposing, precipitating and maintaining factors of the problems. It was revealed that in child’s perspective, her previous school was more significant and contented, because she had no friends in new school and lack of communication with class teacher was perhaps made the child aggressive and more anxiousness during school time. Subjective Unit Distress Scale (SUDS, Wolpe, 1969) A 0-10 point’s scale was used to identify the intensity of the targeted problematic behaviors of the child. These ratings were sorted at pre and post levels to have an idea about 4 improvement in child’s condition and to assess about the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention. Table 1 Subjective ratings of child’s problems Problem Rating Problems with teachers 10 Problems with class fellows 10 School adjustment problem 10 Anger 10 The subjective ratings of child’s problems she had been experiencing in school depicted lack of cooperation from teachers and class fellows were causing problems for her in adjusting in new school due to which she was experiencing anger related symptoms at severe level. Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA, Arndorfer & Miltenberger, 1993) The FBA process was yielded according to the core elements that based on function of problem, including intensity, frequency, duration, and variability, assessment of antecedents, including triggering factors i.e., conditioned and unconditioned, and identification of consequences including reinforcing and punishing consequences. Table 2 Components of Functional Behavioral Assessment of Child Antecedents/Triggers Behaviors Consequences Because I didn’t listen Recess time Senior girls hit her. them. For my previous Going to washroom Class monitors hit her. misbehaviors. Class monitor hit her while I had already given my conducting oral test and oral test to teacher, so I During oral test complaint wrongly to would not give you oral teacher. test. I didn’t give her then she hit me and in reply I also Class monitor asked her to hit her. She hit me again Absence of class teacher give me your sticker then I went to teacher, but teacher punished both of us. I said no then they hit me Class monitors asked me to and accused me, in reply Before the assembly clean the mess around my I also hit them, but never side accused. These incidents made the child felt angry, irritated, and embarrassed that stimulated the desire to express anger and resultantly she displaced her anger on younger siblings. Therefore, this displacement of anger served as a stimulator for the child, because his class 5 monitors had authority to hit her. Also, the attitude of teachers and monitors towards her made other class fellows against her and they started treating her wrongly. In resultant, she isolated herself and started displacing her anger on younger siblings. On average, the child’s anger stayed for whole day with the intensity of 10. Whenever she had an encounter with class monitors regarding any activity in the class, she felt irritable, embarrassed, and angry. School Children Problem Scale (SCPS, Saleem & Mahmood, 2011) School Children Problem Scale (SCPS, Saleem & Mahmood, 2011) was used to assess emotional and behavioral problems of child. The SCPS measured six different types of emotional and behavioral problems namely Anxiousness, Academic Problems, Aggression, Social Withdrawal, Rejection, and Somatic Problems. The child was asked to self-report her intensity on various emotional and behavioral dimensions that she might be facing while interacting with others. Read each item carefully and rate the items to the extent in which you experience these difficulties while relating with other people”. The scoring options included (0) never, (1) rarely, (2), sometimes, (3) often, which was then scored according to six factors and a total score was also yielded and interpreted in accordance with the already established norms of SCPS. Table 3 Obtained score, Range of SCPS, and Categories of the Child Factor Obtained Score M(SD) Category F1: Anxiousness 22 13.48(7.28) Severe F2: Academic Problems 7 7.11(4.42) Moderate F3: Aggression 11 7.05(4.35) Moderate F4: Social Withdrawal 14 14 8.51(3.94) Severe F5: Rejection 11 3.30(3.25) Very Severe F6: Somatic Problems 8 4.03(2.54) Severe Ft: Factor Total 73 42.45(19.17) Very Severe The results on SCPS revealed that the child might feel pressure in school that might bring out some of the emotional and behavioral problems like new school, new environment, and new people that perhaps led to anxiousness and aggressive symptoms like the incidents in school with class monitors, misbehavior of class mates, and disbelief attitude from teacher made the child socially rejected and isolated. Probably, the reason of severity on factors namely social withdrawal, rejection, and somatic problems might be because she wanted to make friends and wanted appreciation from her class teacher. She also perhaps tried to communicate in order to make friends, but unacceptable attitude made all intolerable for the child. Overall psychological assessment revealed that child had anger outbursts and anxiousness that perhaps subsequently caused problems related to somatic, intrapersonal and interpersonal problems. Therapeutic Intervention 6 The therapeutic intervention was done using eclectic approach. Rapport Building (Jone, 2005) was done in order to better formulate the child’s problem and to increase the adherence in therapy. As child seemed apprehensive during initial sessions and had difficulty in opening up, so in order to make a comfortable connection and to provide some secure base; general questions were discussed. Supportive therapy (Miltenberger, 1997; O'Donohue, 2009) was done during the intervention to empathetically understand and actively listen the child’s problems. Psychoeducation was with the purpose to provide the insight to child about her problems and to empower her in dealing with these problems in an optimal way. Anger management The child was psycho-educated about the anger is a normal human emotion and can range from mild irritation to an intense rage, then asked her to identify the triggers and warning signs that caused anger like encountering with class monitors, disregard from class teacher, and misbehavior of class fellows made the child angry. After that, asked the child to notice ‘why am I angry’, about what is causing this emotion. When you notice yourself becoming angry, there are a number of techniques which you can use to ‘take the heat out’ of your anger. ABC model. The child had somewhat insight regarding developmental course of problem, but how the interconnection of thought, feelings, and consequences were elaborated to the child using ABC model of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT, Beck, 1995). The identified situations of the child in the functional assessment form were used to effectively explain the ABC model to the child. Moreover, it was elaborated that ‘A’ can never be changed but the ‘B’ is in control of individual that can make a substantial difference ‘C’. The child was also psycho-educated about fight or flight with the purpose to explain the situation when one faced with a life-threatening danger, so it often makes sense to run away or, of that is not possible, to fight. The fight-flight response is an automatic survival mechanism which prepares the body to take these actions. All of the body sensations produced are happening for good reasons- to prepare to run away or fight-but may be experienced as uncomfortable when one does not know why this is happening. Deep breathing. As whenever child encountered with class monitors and stressful comments from teacher, she felt physically charged like racing heart, sweaty palms, flushed face, and headache, so to soothe her physical symptoms, deep breathing was taught to the child. Distraction. Further, used the distraction techniques with the purpose to manage the unfruitful situation, as if you cannot change the situation, it can help to distract yourself from whatever is making you angry by counting to ten, listening to music, calling a friend to chat about something else, or doing housework. For instance, if you go angry home and you find every single person irritating then, indulge yourself in some activity, or displace your anger on some stuff toy. Further included Time Out technique that means removing yourself from the situation for a period of time, to give yourself a chance to ‘cool down’ and think things through before you act. For example, when you notice yourself becoming 7 angry during an argument with class monitors, say “I need to take time out, let’s talk about this calmly when I get back” and then go for a walk. Identify Time Wasters and Solutions To resolve her problem regarding time wasting and could not find time for home work was done through time management techniques. This included the identification of time wasters and solutions. The child created a map of her daily routine then with the help of counselor picked up the time wasters to manage time for that. After that, counselor asked the child what she would do or skip from her routine to manage these wasters. She responded that she tried to skip some TV shows and also lessen the time to do home chores. Identifying the Cognitive Distortions (Beck, 1995) During counselling interview, it was observed and noted that the thinking of the child is clouded with cognitive distortions. She identified as nobody loves me and I am a disobedient and rebellious child. The reason was she thought negative events as a neverending pattern of defeat, because her teacher and class monitors humiliated her that was why she was guessing this about herself. Then she was asked to identify which of the pattern is used by her mostly taking into account her FBA form. Later on, she was asked what can be a better optimal and more positive thought that can counter the negative distorted thought of her mind, she answered by distracting oneself from the problem, or one can think about the situation of another person before reacting and spoiling one’s mood. Defense Attorney (Beck, 1995) The child reported that she had never been a self- criticizer. Currently, the encountering with class monitor, disregard from teacher, no badge of monitor on her slash and misbehavior of class fellows and younger siblings made her feel that she’s not lovable. For that defense attorney technique was used and asked her, “If you were trying to act as your attorney whose job was to defend yourself, what would you say in your defense? Try to be the lawyer possible in defending yourself” (Leahy, 2003, p. 49). The counselor introduced that technique to child as game and she enjoyed a lot and felt relaxed. At the end of the session she was able to understand that the reasons of not having the badge of monitor and disregard from teacher, because hard work, good manners, and consistency is very important for gaining desirable rewards and for that she would definitely work hard. improvement and excellence from her education and behavior. Use of Coping Statement (Hayes Et Al., 1983) Whenever the child faces a stressful situation, an automatic negative thought came on the surface and induced anxiety that led to anger outburst in her. Therefore, coping statements were used to put a stop and to replace those thoughts with realistic and rational thoughts. She was informed that when these rational self-statements are practiced and learned, brain took over and they automatically occurred. Assertive Skills Training 8 Assertive skills training was given to the child to psycho-educate her to say no to peers and society in a humble and polite manner to handle the pressuring situations. She was also educated about the difference between the passive, aggressive, and assertive communication. Further, the fogging technique (Cangelosi & Peterson, 1998) was also educated her through role playing. She was instructed rather than arguing back, aimed to give a minimal, calmed response using terms that were placating but not defensive. Problem-Focused Solution Problem-solving techniques was involved a process by which child attempted to analyze a problem, identify options for coping, evaluate the options, decide upon a plan, and develop strategies for implementing the plan. After that the process was started by following the ‘SOLVED’ techniques and asked the child to open her mind to all possible solutions about the problems through brainstorming. If she wanted to write she could. At the end asked her to verify the best solution by examining the pros and cons of every possible solution. The overall outcomes of counseling plan identified that she became able to analyze, identify, and evaluate the problems related to her instability of emotions and behaviors. She also started taking interest in class activities and she felt less sad, anxious, and angry. The outcomes depicted effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy for management of emotional and behavioral problems. Total 8 sessions (1 session per week of 45 minutes) were carried out with the child for the purpose of counselling and therapeutic intervention. Discussion The quality of student’s relationship, or involvement with teachers and peers factually serve as a powerful motivator (Connell, 1991). Effective school learning enhances student’s interaction with others (Ryan & Powelson, 1991) and ineffective learning, isolation, and social dissatisfaction lead to weak school achievement (Galanaki & KalantziAzizi, 1999). Therefore, social acceptance and appreciation are crucial aspects in enhancing student’s intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning. As in this child’s case, the social support was significantly missing that was causing problems related to adjustment. Friends normally influence each other through characteristics of attitudes, behaviors, and quality of friendship. These influential characteristics further affect interpersonal relationships that eventually support effective school adjustment (Berndt, 1999; Berndt & Keefe, 1996). Generally, a student who is new to environment has four motives for effective adjustment in school with new peers such as need for approval, identification, selfenhancement, and need to be corrected, because student wants to be liked, so they try to involve in activities and try to please friends for social approval (Berndt & Keefe, 1996). When one does not find these motives then one perhaps become aggressive, feel rejected, socially isolated, and have somatic problems. As positive quality of friendship displays significantly higher self-esteem, fewer emotional and behavioral problems, more prosocial behavior, and high achievement in school (Berndt & Keefe, 1996); contrarily, negative quality of friendship lead to social incompetence, isolation, and more disruptive behavior. As this child wanted to establish a relationship with teachers and class fellows, but resultantly the unacceptable and depreciative behavior of them triggering anger, anxiety, and irritability in child. 9 The child’s case report formulation was based on the biopsychosocial model, which further includes, predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and protective factors of problems. Table 4 Formulation of Case based on Biopsychosocial Model Factor Biological factors Psychological factors Predisposing Precipitating factors factors Age, Temperament, Reactivity to Anxiety Feeling Rejected Perpetuating factors Temperament, Reactivity to Anxiety, Somatic problems Aggression, Displacement of anger, Anxiousness, Protective factors Affection from parents, Child’s compliance Social factors Social Weak bond Withdrawal, siblings, Adjustment in Lack of new assertiveness, environment Lack of social support from friends, Lack of appreciation from teacher It indicates that predisposing factors in the early age leads to affect temperament and stimulates the anxiety reaction. The child felt rejected during school hours, felt socially isolated and finding it difficult to adjust in new environment that were actually precipitated her problems. Lack of acceptance in new environment, lack of appreciation, and lack of social support from peer leads the child towards aggression, anxiety, displacement of anger (which resultantly weaker her bond with siblings), and somatic problems. While perpetuating factors further stimulated her temperament and reactivity to anxiety. However, protective factor; mainly, affection from parents significantly boosted her compliance. Conclusion The therapeutic interventional plan was effectively designed that includes cognitive behavioral experiments to assist her with anger management, assertiveness techniques, use of coping statement to build confidence and problem-solving technique was used to find solutions for her reported problems. The lack of motivation in the child, absence of appreciation and continuous incidents of misbehavior during school time made the hurdles. 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