Developmental Domains Influence Behavior of 78-year-old Woman

During the course of several hours an interview was conducted with Virginia Snider, a 78-year-old white female. Virginia is one-year past a cerebral vascular accident. Her speech is slightly impaired, but she was able to answer questions regarding her life and experiences. The interview and her responses will be used to create an examination, of how the developmental domains interacted to influence her behavior.

It was obvious during the interview that Virginia's physical aging, and current health condition effected her cognitive functions. Several of the questions needed to be repeated, and explained before she could respond. When Virginia was asked how her physical health effected her social interactions, she explained that it was difficult for her to remain socially active outside of her immediate family members. Her mobility is limited, and she is confined to a wheel chair (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). She ambulates only short distances due to severe arthritis, and is rarely capable to venture outside of the home. Due to these conditions her social circle is very limited (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). She explained that when she was much younger she had a very large circle of friends, and frequently attended many social functions. This is of great concern to Virginia. She states she does suffer from some depression due to her loss of mobility (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). As Bee and Boyd (2006) point out in their text, the elderly who suffer from chronic conditions, such as arthritis, are more likely to suffer from depression. Virginia appears to follow Bee and Boyd's statements regarding the link between depression and physical heath.

After discussing Virginia's social domain, she was asked about the major crises she has faced in her life, and what where their effects. Virginia again referred to her having a stroke and the effects it had on her behavior and life. She realizes it is difficult for her to speak. She referred to the fact that she has a difficult time articulating, pronouncing, and using words in the correct context (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). This has caused her to become withdrawn, and less vocal due to the fear of not being understood when she speaks (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). Virginia also relates that she can no longer use the computer for playing games online. This was something she enjoyed doing, and due to the effects of the stroke, she can no longer comprehend the complex mechanics of logging on the Internet, loading and playing games (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). She also explains that she on occasion experiences episodes of being upset, feeling incompetent, and more "moody" at times. Virginia claims it is a direct result of her physical health, and often tries to find other ways to relief the stress she feels (personal communication, November 25, 2009). When asked what measures she takes to off set her feelings, she replied that she plays more with her grandchildren, and believes that talking and playing with them help her to refine her speech, and helps her practice vocabulary and its usage. She also explained how she practices writing words, and reading the newspaper to sharpen her skills (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). When Virginia was asked how she felt regarding her stroke and the challenges she faces from its effects, she claimed she is dealing with its effects. She believes that even though it has been challenging, she is coping and finding ways to deal with her limitations. Virginia also relates that she realizes certain aspects of what she has lost, compared to what skills and capabilities she had before the stroke. She also believes that she has come to terms with the loss, and is adjusting and coping daily (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). According to Erikson's Stage of ego integrity people must come to terms with certain aspects of their life. One aspect is accepting who a person was, and what they have become (Bee & Boyd, 2006). According to Erikson's idea of ego integrity, Virginia's coming to terms with her pre stroke self and her post self stroke shows an example of someone striving to reach ego integrity.

When asked about her education, Virginia explained that for a short time she was a nursing student. She further explained that she was married and became pregnant while in school, and no longer could continue due to her pregnancy. She describes the common idea that existed when she was younger. It encompassed the idea that once a woman was married, she was responsible to stay home and care for her husband and children. Attaining a degree was not the norm, nor was it something a woman was expected to achieve (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). Virginia also explained that she did not have any remorse from not continuing her education. She felt her family was her career, and the raising of her children was her greatest accomplishment. She also believed that since she continued to have children late into adulthood, it kept her feeling young, and more physically active. Her last child was born when she was 36 (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). Virginia related that her primary goal was to raise her children, and prepare them with the tools they needed for life (personal communication, November 25, 2009). According to Erikson's Psychosocial Stages, Virginia was in the generativity versus stagnation stage. Erikson proposed the concept of "generativity-the stage of adult development that revolves around the establishment and guidance of the next generation" (Peterson, Smirles & Wentworth, 1997). Virginia completed this stage through the priority and importance she gave in the rearing of her children. Her behavior is a typical pattern described by Erikson.

Virginia was asked about her marriage and the death of her husband. She explained that she had met and married her husband Truman over 52 years ago. She was around the age of 25 when they met (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). According to Erikson's Stages, Virginia at that time would have been in the sixth psychosocial stage. "The sixth stage is intimacy versus isolation and represents the ability to share with and commit to another, most often in the form of romantic relationships. The psychosocial strength that can be gained in the sixth stage is love" (Dunkel & Sefcek, 2009). According to Virginia she fell in love with Truman and they were married shortly after they met. They were married for over 40 years before he passed from cancer (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). It would appear that based on Erikson's proposed stages, Virginia resolved the intimacy verses isolation crisis. She followed the typical pattern suggested by Erikson. She was able to share and commit to someone else in the form of marriage.

Virginia became a widow at the age of 70 (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). According to statistics, becoming a widow at that age is typical. 51% of women over the age of 65 are widowed (Gilewski, Farberow, Gallagher & Thompson, 1991). Virginia stated that it was a very difficult time for her, and the loss of her spouse had a tremendous effect on her both physically and mentally. She experienced depression, loss of appetite, crying, insomnia and difficulty thinking and concentrating (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). Studies confirm that these are typical behaviors exhibited by bereaved spouses. In one study it was "found the most significant symptoms of bereavement in several samples of bereaved adults to be depressed mood, sleep disturbance, crying, weight loss, and concentration difficulty (Gilewski et al., 1991). Virginia did explain that while the effects of losing her husband lasted for quite a while; she was able to cope with her loss, and move on with her life (personal communication, November 25, 2009).

After discussing the death of her husband, Virginia was asked what she thought about death and dying. Virginia explained that, " Death is a part of life" (personal communication, November 25, 2009). She further elaborated that when she was younger she feared dying. Now she claims that she no longer has that fear. Virginia has often spoken with her family members about when she "passes" and what she would like them to do with her belongings, and that she does not wish them to be "too upset" when she is no longer here (V. Snider, personal communication, November 25, 2009). Virginia is typical of the average older adult according to the textbook written by Bee & Boyd. " The elderly think and talk more about death than do those at any other age." "Thus, to an older person, death is highly important, but it is apparently not as frightening as it was at mid-life" (Bee & Boyd, 2006).

In conclusion after examining Virginia's responses during her interview, it is clear that she follows many typical patterns of late adulthood. According to research Virginia fits into Erikson's characteristic psychosocial stages that were mentioned above. She also follows the pattern of spousal bereavement, according to the referenced studies. Her attitude towards death and dying are also an example of a typical person her age.

References

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Gilewski, M., Farberow, N., Gallagher, D., & Thompson, L. (1991). Interaction of depression

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doi:10.1037/0882-7974.6.1.67.

Peterson, B., Smirles, K., & Wentworth, P. (1997). Generativity and authoritarianism:

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