Target Behavior and Outcome Criteria Definition, Case Study Example

Cate is a female currently enrolled in form one. She is a bright student and always leads in her class. Since she was born, Cate has never had any history of chronic ailment apart from common diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. She has also been actively involved in co-curriculum activities for the last five years. During this time, she was in primary school. She has been social all along and would throw tantrums when denied a chance to meet with her peers. While in church, she has always felt comfortable being involved in teens’ activities such as dancing and singing. She has been easy going and very talkative, even in the presence of unfamiliar figures.

Cate’s behavior changed three months ago. Her mother reports that Cate has developed unexplainable nervousness while in the presence of her peers and her siblings. When asked to greet visitors at their home, she denies and seeks a private place where she sits until the visitors leave. She no longer has a passion for taking part in play activities with her peers. Cate’s mother also reports that her daughter has developed antisocial behaviors with her siblings, and rarely socializes with them as she used to.

Back at school, teachers have expressed concern over the significant change in behavior that Cate exhibits. Her class teacher explains that Cate rarely takes part in co-curricular activities and is often alone during break time. She is reported to be very aggressive to her peers and teachers. Also, she rarely follows simple instructions and has been reported to be very defiant. Her peers have also expressed concern after it turned out that Cate was no longer interested in communicating and playing with them. She is very destructive and has been reported to break utensils and electronics when left alone in the house. The mother says that Cate stays in her bedroom after school until she is called to take supper. After she is done eating, she goes back and locks herself in her room. The worst scenario was last month when she missed school for eight consecutive days despite being well. Failure to attend school regularly has adversely impacted Cate’s academic performance since she has failed to retain her position or performance.

Target Behavior Definition

Cate has an Antisocial Personality Disorder based on the information provided. According to Valenca (2018), the condition is characterized by aggressive actions against peers and siblings, unwillingness to socialize with peers, and constant feelings of nervousness. Furthermore, Tang and Wang (2013) argue that people with antisocial behavior are destructive and very defiant to codes of ethics and behaviors. These symptoms are exhibited by Cate, confirming that she may be suffering from the condition. Cate’s behavior is characterized by sneaking out of school, telling lies, and destroying property.

Causes of antisocial personality disorder are complex since each theory provides different explanations for causes of the condition. However, key theorists share a common point of view that the condition is caused by deprivation of oxygen to the brain, which leads to brain damage, which causes antisocial behaviors exhibited by the victim. Environmental factors have also been argued to cause the condition (Aggen & Reichborn, 2018). Exposure of children to domestic violence within families results in aggressive behaviors portrayed by patients. Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse is also a significant risk factor for the onset of the ailment. Other medical practitioners argue that neglected children are likely to suffer from the condition because they are used to lonely lives.

Social Significance of the Target Behavior

If the condition is not adequately and timely addressed, it can lead to numerous long-term complications to the victim and the family.  Addressing the condition is likely to result in the peaceful coexistence of the patient with peers since cases of aggression and destruction will be eliminated. Individuals suffering from the condition have been reported to be orchestrators of several murder cases experienced in communities. They are also found to be in the middle of never-ending conflicts in families. Therefore, there is a significant social benefit that will be derived from addressing Cate’s condition.

Individuals suffering from the condition are at a higher risk of consuming alcohol and abusing other drugs. They are also inclined to be involved in criminal activities such as burglary, with imprisonment being the potential consequence.  Antisocial personality victims are vulnerable to mood problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, which are likely to affect not only the patient but also the family and close peers (Ogloff, 2006). The condition also makes the prognosis of other conditions challenging (Valença, 2018). Having the disease makes the treatment of other social problems such as drug abuse difficult. Addressing Cate’s condition is important since it will help in mitigating future challenges likely to develop if she is not treated.

Outcome Criteria

The condition that Cate is suffering from has generated several challenges.  However, the suggested intervention is meant to mitigate the complications and give Cate an improved quality of life as she had before the onset of the condition. One criterion that will be used to measure outcomes is reduced aggressiveness in the patient. The mother and teachers have reported high levels of aggressiveness in Cate that has given caregivers a difficult time when dealing with her.  According to Hesse and Thomsen (2015), the antisocial disorder can only be said to have been addressed, when the aggressive nature of the victim is controlled. Also, the victim has been reported to prefer a lonely life free from her peers. Peers play an active role in the socialization process and molding of expected behavior. The second outcome is to see a positive association of the patient with her peers and siblings. This will indicate the success of the adopted intervention.

It was reported that the patient lives a lonely life and rarely interacts with visitors coming to her home. Also, Cate does not associate with her peers in church. After the intervention, it is expected that she will be interactive with peers and play with her siblings while at home. The patient is very destructive when left alone in the homestead. It is also expected that the approach used will be effective in bringing an end to this destructive behavior by enabling the patient to return to her senses.

Intervention Efforts

The best intervention approach for the condition is cognitive-behavioral therapy. The therapy is useful in helping clients to be informed of their distorted perceptions that influence their social behavior and help restore their lives to normalcy (Johnson & Hickie, 2015). The therapy is associated with successful treatment programs aimed at correcting behavior. It works on the belief that all expected behaviors are reinforced and motivated with an individual and by the external environment.

Furthermore, teachers and school psychologists must emphasize communication between the patient and her peers within the school setting as it forms a successful framework for managing the condition. The school psychologists must also offer programs aimed at teaching the patient about anger management skills and conflict resolution as this will help the client in managing her aggression (Hatchett, 2015). Family therapists must also be involved in guiding the family on better approaches to adopt in addressing their daughter condition (Johnson & Hickie, 2015). They should also be asked to avoid risk factors that lead to the condition, including domestic violence and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Furthermore, medications such as Phenytoin, carbamazepine, and valproate are effective in the treatment of aggression and hyperactivity disorders. Medical interventions can also be used to help restore the client’s life.

Conclusion

An antisocial personality disorder is a condition that affects individuals of all ages. Even though causes are not known, major risk factors include drug and substance use, exposure to violence, neglect during childhood, and brain damage. The condition results in antisocial behaviors such as aggression, failure to interact with peers, involvement in criminal activities, and defiance. Every intervention for this condition is aimed at minimizing the effects of the condition and restoring the clients’ health. Cognitive therapy, family counseling, and administration of drugs are some of the effective interventions for the condition.

References

Aggen, S. H. & Reichborn, T. (2018). Prediction of alcohol use disorder using personality disorder traits: A twin study. Addiction, 113(1), 15-24. doi:10.1111/add.13951

Hatchett, G. (2015). Treatment guidelines for clients with an antisocial personality disorder. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 37(1), 15-27. doi:10.17744/mehc.37.1.52g325w385556315

Hesse, M. & Thomsen, M.(2015). Experiences and narratives – drug users with antisocial personality disorder retelling the process of treatment and change. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, 22(3), 293-300. doi:10.3109/09687637.2015.1036006

Johnson, V. A. & Hickie, I. B. (2015). Childhood- versus adolescent-onset antisocial youth with conduct disorder: Psychiatric illness, neuropsychological, and psychosocial function. PloS One, 10(4), e0121627-e0121627. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121627

Ogloff, J. R. P. (2006). Psychopathy/antisocial personality disorder conundrum. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 40(6-7), 519-528. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1614.2006.01834.x

Tang, Y. & Wang, W. (2013). Identifying individuals with antisocial personality disorder using resting-state FMRI. PloS One, 8(4), e60652-e60652. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0060652

Valença, A. M. (2018). Antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy, and media. Jornal Brasileiro De Psiquiatria, 67(3), 141-142. doi:10.1590/0047-2085000000207