Course name: HBSE 111 (FILIPINO PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL WORK)

Course Description: Provides students with the knowledge on human behavior and social environment, with
particular emphasis on the person-in-environment dynamics, concepts, theories and
indigenous perspectives for understanding Filipino behavior and culture in relation to
social work practice.

CHAPTER 2

Objectives:

 Discuss the interplay of various factors in human growth and development.

 Prepare a case study/ caselette showing the interaction among biological, psychological, socio-
structural, gender, cultural and spiritual factors that shape a person’s identity

INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Human development-refers to the biological and psychological development of the human being throughout
the lifespan. It consists of the development from infancy, childhood and adolescence to adulthood. Human
development is about giving people more freedom and opportunities to live lives they value. Tudge, J.R (2009)
said that much of developmental psychology is the science of strange behavior of children in strange situations
with strange adults for the briefest possible periods of time.

Social workers work with people at all stages of life,; tackling a multitude of personal, social, health,
welfare, legal and education issues. As a result, social work students need to understand human growth and
development throughout the lifespan.

 Bio-Psycho-Social Framework

The biopsychosocial model is an interdisciplinary model that looks at the interconnection

between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors. The model specifically examines how
these aspects play a role in topics ranging from health and disease models to human development. The
biopsychosocial model represents a very important theoretical framework developed in the 21 st
century. It can be specifically applied to understanding overall health and health behaviors.

According to the biopsychosocial model, it is deep interrelation of all three factors

(biological, psychological, social) that leads to a given outcome-each component on its own is
 insufficient to lead definitively to health or illness. The biopsychosocial model incorporates
interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors to help determine why an individual
might suffer from a disorder. Psychologists and experts in other fields use it to diagnosis and treat
patients. S

What is the biopsychosocial approach and why is important?

The biopsychosocial model represents a very important theoretical framework developed in

st
the 21 century. According to a body mind unity theory, it postulates that research must focus not only
on biomedical but also on other aspects in order to understand complex interactions occurring on
different system levels.

 For example, the interaction of biological and psychological traits with social
circumstances such as generational poverty or lack of educational, vocational, or
other economic opportunities can contribute to addiction.
 Person in environment (PIE) theory

The person-in-environment perspective in social work is a practice-guiding principle that

highlights the importance of understanding an individual and individual behavior in the light of the
environmental contexts in which that person lives and acts. It is also the key concept and philosophy
in the field of social work that states that a person’s behavior can largely be understood by looking at
their environment, including their past environment. The field of social work prides itself on the PIE
theory, which is a scientifically-proven premise that gives the field some credibility in the scientific
community.
 PIE theory history

While there were previous pioneers of social work practice, Mary Richmond was the mother
of social casework and the spearhead of the concept that a person’s problems are heavily influenced
by their environment in the early 20th century.

In her 1917 book Social Diagnosis’, Richmond argued for social workers to look not just at
the mental health irregularities of the person but also to their environment. Richmond also advocated
for social workers to take on more of a macro approach instead of just focusing on individuals. She
emphasized the importance of advocating for social change, empowering social workers to enter the
political, legal, and governmental worlds in creating, advocating, and defending social programs.

What is the person in environment focus or perspective?

Person-in-environment perspective is said to provide a more adequate framework for

assessing an individual and his or her presenting problem and strengths than an approach that focuses
solely on changing an individual’s behavior or psyche, or one that focuses solely on environment
conditions.

PIE Theory Functions

The function of the PIE theory serves to help the individual and society as a whole. The PIE
theory specifically has the following roles:

 To provide a holistic and comprehensive method for assessing clients. Social Workers assess
many environmental aspects including religious, political, familial, community,
socioeconomic, and educational.
 To allow the social worker to identify aspects of the environment that may be contributing to
client problems. The social worker can then choose to intervene with the problematic
environmental systems as much as their role will allow.

Social Functioning

It defines an individual’s interactions with their environment and the ability to fulfil their role
within such environments as work, social activities, and relationships with partners and family. Social
functioning, and a child’s ability to interact appropriately with peer Impairment of social functioning
is a significant aspect of depression distinct from the symptoms of depression. The analysis of social
functioning has arisen from a growing interest in measuring the consequences of depression and
 antidepressant therapy. Social functioning is a key concept in the theories of human well-being, in
political theory, in social and moral philosophy, in social work etc.

 What is effective social functioning?

Competent system activate resources to deal with problems, issues, and needs. Adaptive
system recognize the problems and take the necessary steps to resolve them. (e.g.,
Individuals are able to cope with stresses from daily life problems in their immediate
environments.)
 Why is social functioning important?

The ability to maintain relationships with friends or perform work are important dimensions
that shape social functioning. Therefore, it seems obvious that the definition of
psychopathology also depends on the presence of an impairment in social functioning. Social
functioning includes meeting basic needs of the individual and the individual’s dependents,
including physical aspects, personal fulfillment, emotional needs, and an adequate self-
concept.

Case no. 1:

Mark
PRESENTING PROBLEM
Mark is currently in his 4th year college and is about to graduate this summer. However, due to
financial constraint, he is hard up copping up in providing the means for his school needs. Hence, he needs
financial help to sustain his school needs until he graduates.

UNDERLYING PROBLEM
Mark is now feeling in despair due to financial constraint aggravated by the death of his paternal
grandfather whom he considered as his closed support system since he grew up with him and his
grandmother when his biological mother passed away. Although he has a biological father, but he has his own
family to support and that he has a half-sister who needs medical maintenance due to mentally illness. The
father source of income is not enough for the medical needs of his half-sister; hence, he cannot oblige the
former to financially support his school needs.
Despite Mark’s receiving scholarship allowance amounting to 4, 600.00 a month from a non-
government organization and a pension allowance of 2,000.00 from the social security system insurance of his
then biological mother. Nonetheless, it is not enough for his daily expenses plus the fact that he is shelling out
expenses on the apartment rental where he and his parental aunt’s family is currently staying in the city. In
addition, so much school requirements that needs finances to enable him to graduate this summer. He has no
other support system other than his grandparents and his two paternal aunts to help him now since they too are
not economically well off plus the fact his grandfather had a cancer which his maternal aunts where the ones
who were burden with the medical needs of the former until his death.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION/HISTORY
Mark grew up without the presence of his maternal relatives. His biological mother passed away when
he was barely 3 years old and never met his maternal relatives until when he is in his lower college days.
Further, his biological father had been accused by the latter as the cause of death of his biological mother.
Accordingly, his father moved in another municipality to work as well as avoid the wrath of his maternal
relatives even if they live far from their place. He was then left under the care and supervision of his paternal
grandparents where he considered them as hos closed family circle. However, on September 2018, his
grandfather died, and this brought sadness to him since he felt that one of his closest support systems left and
that he built dreams including them. His grandfather and grandmother had been his strength in pursuing his
dreams; hence, he had been determined to finish his studies. Unfortunately, one problem led to another such
that the pension insurance from the SSS he received stopped since he reached the age of twenty-one (21)
where survivor dependent of members will end. This leads him to feel emotional pain as well as financial
struggles that sums up to stress affecting his school performance. Nonetheless, he is determined to finish his
studies despite the financial constraints he is now currently experiencing; however, his school performance is
at stake which might hinder him to join the graduation this summer. Mark is now in his 4 th year in his course
Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics in the in one of the State Universities in Metro Manila. He relies on
grants ever since he was in his elementary up to this day.
Accordingly, when he was in his elementary, a foreign person who happened to live in their
community have been helping children like him in their school needs since elementary and high school are of
free tuition fee. Further, this foreign person is not strict in terms of grade requirement; hence, he was able to
finish his high school. Unfortunately, when he has to enter college, his benefactor could no longer sponsor his
study. Thus, he stopped for a year but, because he is determined to pursue his college, he tried to work out to
regain the sponsorship. Fortunately, he was given another chance by his benefactor; however, when he was in
his second-year college, his benefactor died. Fortunately, his benefactor was able to prepare necessary plans
prior to his death so that his educational sponsorship among the children in their community was transferred
under the supervision of a Foundation that caters scholarship, a non-government organization (NGO).
Thus, his school needs such as tuition fees and minimal allowances continued to be provided. Further, the
free tuition fee of SUCs was implemented just last year which made him hopeful that the minimal allowance
he receive from the Foundation will increase since there is inflation of basic needs and school needs due to
the TRAIN Law.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333916212_SOCIAL_CASE_STUDY_REPORT

no. 1

1.State your personal learning goals.

2. Make an autobiography.

no. 2

1. Based on the Case no. 1 create a reaction/critique case.