PSYC09027 2022 Traumatic Experiences: Psychological Impact across the Lifespan

To be able to critically analyse variables linked to both positive and negative attachment behaviours. Domain 1.2, Domain 3.4, Domain 5.1, 5.3.

Debate how our understanding of the impact of traumatic experiences has evolved and how this understanding guides interventions. Domain 1.2, 1.5, 1.6, Domain 2.1, 2.4, Domain 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.10, Domain 5.1, 5.3, 5.11, 5.14, 5.22

Demonstrate from theoretical perspectives a thorough understanding of the impact of traumatic experiences on people including the disruption to neurobiological, attachment, social, emotional domains etc. Domain 1.3, Domain 2.4, Domain 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, Domain 5.1, 5.3, 5.14, 5.15, 5.22.

Formulate the links between disrupted developmental trajectories (due to traumatic experiences) and chronic adverse reactions across the lifespan using evidence-based research. Domain 1.6, Domain 3.1, 3.6, 3.10, Domain 5.1, 5.3, 5.11, 5.14, 5.15.

Analyse how the knowledge (1-4 above) informs social work practice, in particular in relation to assessment and recommendations for interventions working within a multi-disciplinary context. Domain 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.11, 1.18, Domain 2.1, 2.9, 2.2, Domain 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.10, 3.14 Domain 4.2, Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3,5.14, 5.22.

Learners will be taught through lecture, tutorial and self-directed strategies.

Two types of assessments will be undertaken by the learners.

Assessment One: an essay of 3000 words addressing learning outcomes 1-4. The student will select either a particular client group or a specific type of trauma and will apply knowledge acquired from learning outcomes 1-4.

Assessment Two: A presentation in class using a case study format. Learners to make recommendations for interventions and demonstrate an understanding of multi-disciplinary teamwork. This presentation will apply knowledge acquired from learning outcomes 1-4 and guidelines for the presentation will address learning outcome 5.

This module’s assessments allow for assessment of CORU Standards of Proficiency as follows:

One: Essay: 50%

• Domain 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.11, 1.18,
• Domain 2.1,2.2, 2.4, 2.9, 2.12
• Domain 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.10, 3.14
• Domain 4.2
• Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.11, 5.14, 5.15, 5.22.

Two: Presentation: 50%

• Domain 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.18,
• Domain 2.1,2.2, 2.4, 2.9, 2.12
• Domain 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.10, 3.14
• Domain 4.2
• Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.11, 5.14, 5.15, 5.22.

A repeat of both assessments will take the same format. Repeat assignment requirements will be clearly outlined to the learner.

LO1 Attachment:

How does attachment develop? Optimum conditions for positive attachment. Adverse conditions and their impact on attachment development. Interventions that promote good attachment bonds.

Understanding of traumatic experience:

An exploration of the evolution in our understanding of the impact of traumatic experience on psychological functioning.

Trauma impact as an interaction between the traumatic event, the person and the environment.

Different types of traumatic experiences and their unique consequences. The resilience or lack of in relation to personal responses to trauma. Environmental maintaining and modulation variables in relation to trauma responses.

Prevalence of traumatic events, risk factors and co-morbidity. Vulnerabilities in relation to age, race, socio-economic status etc.

Peri-traumatic, pre and post-traumatic variables including type of trauma, level of exposure, natural or man-made, perpetrator, levels of exposure and chronicity etc.

Appraisals of safety, coping mechanisms (dissociation, numbing, internalising, externalising behaviours), attributions, cognitive appraisals and supports etc.

LO2 Impact of trauma:

Impact on the neurobiology of the developing brain and implications for future coping. Impact on attachment, social, emotional and cognitive domains etc. Understanding difficulties in psychological functioning from a trauma perspective. The response of the social worker within a multi-disciplinary approach to trauma presentations across the lifespan.

LO3 Disrupted developmental trajectories linked to adverse reactions across the lifespan:

A thorough understanding of the psychological difficulties associated with traumatic experiences. Understanding of the links between affective, depressive, conduct, eating, behavioural difficulties etc. and trauma. Trauma responses are developmentally linked and this course will map the likely presentations of traumatic responses across the lifespan. It will also differentiate the responses from different types of trauma, for example, psychosocial trauma, physical trauma, neglect and sexual abuse, etc.

LO4 Implications for social work practice:

Learning outcome 1-4 are applied in class discussion and assignments to demonstrate how this knowledge is applied from a social worker perspective, How is this knowledge of benefit when working with children, children in foster care, residential care, children from different cultural backgrounds etc. How does this knowledge relate to homeless youth adults? How does this knowledge apply to elder abuse, elderly living at home or in other forms of care? Why does the social worker need to understand trauma and all its manifestations? How does knowledge of the impact of trauma inform social workers when assessing and monitoring care facilities? Linking this knowledge to working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.

LO5 Analyse how the knowledge (1-4 above) informs social work practice:

LO5 is assessed by a case study presentation, applying knowledge acquired from the module.