The document summarizes the application of attachment theory to understand and address the case of Ella Schultz. It discusses: 1) Attachment theory focuses on the bond between infants and caregivers, and how separation can impact development. For Ella, this means she lacked a healthy bond with her father due to abuse. 2) To assess Ella, the social worker would ask questions guided by attachment theory about how stress, environment, and relationships have impacted her. 3) The social worker would provide Ella space to discuss attachments and help her identify coping skills to address her issues related to her family relationships.

1. Running head: APPLICATION OF SYSTEM THEORY TO A
CASE STUDY 2
APPLICATION OF SYSTEM THEORY TO A CASE STUDY 2
Application of Systems Theory to A Case Study
Richard Davis
Walden University
SOCW 6060
Dr. Toler
December 11, 2022
The selected theory, in this case, is the attachment theory,
which starts immediately after delivery. The attachment theory
is influenced by the child's age and the need to ensure their
safety. The interaction between the infants and the caregivers
greatly impacts the child's lifespan attachment development
(Choate & Tortorelli, 2022). Therefore, this theory focuses on
the intimacy and interactions that offer an attachment activated
upon the separation from the caregivers. Such separation begins
on the first day of the daycare and when the primary caregiver
separates from the child due to work or vacations.
In the case scenario, Ella Schultz requires a trusting
relationship with the mother. She is experiencing abuse from
her father, and her environment does not offer her emotional
and mental opportunities to be connected to her father (Choate
& Tortorelli, 2022). The attachment theory includes all aspects
of life from when the child is born and contributes to the child's
future capacity of attachment development to other people. She

2. has successfully formed an attachment with her peers and needs
additional support and relationship from her father. Therefore,
she is experiencing grief at losing her relationship with her
parents. Despite the relationships being unhealthy to her, she is
still in grief. She is in a situation that can be considered as
disorganization. She had already developed the perception that
her father could not change and has admitted that the family
was stable when the father was not under the control of alcohol.
She is experiencing a loss of peer relationships with her
parents.
The attachment theory defines the cause of the problem in
this scenario. It reveals that Ella did not have a bond with her
monotropy and has no healthy bond with other caregivers like
the father. Therefore, as a healthcare provider, it is important to
inquire about the impact of stress or distress, environment, and
bond on Ella. The attachment theory must guide the inquiries.
Therefore, a nurse can inquire about Ella's perception
concerning the positive things about her father or what they did
with the father before becoming a drug addict. Ella can also
describe her childhood life and experience, for example,
whether she spent most of the time with her parents before
joining kindergarten.
The successful process of addressing the problem in the
case scenario must be based on the guidance of the attachment
theory. The first thing a social worker can do as an intervention
is to give her space to help understand her perception of
attachment (Choate & Tortorelli, 2022). She is experiencing an
attachment with people he cares for, which can provide a chance
to share more information concerning the attachment and how it
will likely impact her relationship.
It is also important for a provider to recognize or explore
her awareness of coping skills. The first step is to ask her
whether she is aware of coping skills and if she denies it, then
an explanation is done and helps her to identify some of the
coping skills she can use both during and outside the sessions
(Marti-Garcia et al., 2021). Some coping skills to recommend to

3. Ella are reading, playing, using her cell phone, going for a
walk, reading, and conversing with her peers.
In conclusion, it is important to have a session that helps
Ella identify anything positive from her past while growing up
in the family. Understanding the importance of that relationship
helps address the client’s issue. It is important to recognize the
importance of human relations while working with the patient.
A social worker must engage individuals as partners while
assisting with healing.
References
Choate, P., & Tortorelli, C. (2022). Attachment theory: a barrier
for indigenous children involved with child protection.
International journal of environmental research and
public health,
19(14), 8754.
Martí-García, S., Relinque-Medina, F., Fernández-Borrero, M.
Á., & Vázquez-Aguado, O. (2021). Structural and functional
analysis of cases of family treatment treated in the public social
services system.
Heliyon,
7(5), e06825.
Running head: PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORIES AND
ATTACHMENT THEORY 2
PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORIES AND ATTACHMENT
THEORY 2

4. Psychoanalytic Theories and Attachment Theory
Richard Davis
Walden University
SOCW 6060
Dr. Toler
December 18, 2022
The Assumptions of the Attachment Theory
The attachment theory is based on the idea that all humans
are biologically programmed to seek comfort and safety through
proximity to a reliable and protective caregiver (Choate &
Tortorelli, 2022). The theory is also based on the assumption
that neurophysiological systems, which are common features in
infants or individuals, and the variations among individuals in
the caregiver's behavior are essential in forming diverse
categories of attachment.
The problem in the chosen case study from the perspective of
the attachment theory
Based on the case scenario, the patient needs a trusting
relationship with her mother. The critical problem is that the
abuse from the father and the present environment does not
provide emotional and mental chances to connect to her father.
In this case, the attachment theory includes all vital elements of
life during childbirth and significantly impacting on the future
of a child in terms of the ability to develop an attachment to
other persons (Choate & Tortorelli, 2022). In the case scenario,
Schultz has formed a more robust attachment with their peers
but still requires support and a good relationship with her
father. Consequently, she is experiencing some form of grief at
losing such a relationship. Despite having an unhealthy
relationship with their parents, she is still grieving and
experiencing a disorganized life pattern.
The assessment questions guided by the attachment theory to be
asked to help in understanding how stress or distress, bond, and

5. environment are impacting the client.
Based on the attachment theory, the case of Schultz is the
lack of bond with the caregivers such as the father. Therefore,
she will be asked how stress or distress, environment, and bond
affect her (Choate & Tortorelli, 2022). She is asked about some
of the positive aspects of her father and the potential cause of
drug addiction to his father. She can also be asked to describe
her childhood experience on whether there was a good
relationship with her parents.
The two interventions to help in addressing the issue
Addressing the problems in the case scenario requires the
adoption of the aspects from the attachment theory. The patient
is provided free space to understand her opinion about
attachment. She can also give details about family attachment
and how it affects its relationship (Choate & Tortorelli, 2022).
Understanding how the patient is presently dealing with the
requires inquiry into some of her coping skills. In this case, she
is asked about methods to tolerate the impact of poor
attachment and relationship with the parents. After learning
coping skills, she is advised to practice procedures such as
reading, engaging in conversation with friends, walking, and
using her cell phone to play games or watch comedies or
movies.
Self-reflective questions influenced by the attachment theory to
be asked to gain greater empathy for what is experienced by the
client.
The patient in the case scenario requires a successful
session to help address the presented issues. Such sessions are
vital since they allow her to identify the positive aspects of her
past life when growing up and identify what worked well for the
family and what did not. It is also crucial for a provider to
understand the relationship between the families. This is
important in identifying the key trigger of the present issue.
References
Choate, P., & Tortorelli, C. (2022). Attachment theory: a barrier

6. for indigenous children involved with child
protection. International journal of environmental research and
public health, 19(14), 8754.
Analysis of Theory Worksheet
Use this worksheet to help you apply a theory as a lens to the
case study for your assignments. Fill in the column on the right
with all applicable information, and then consider it a reference
for how to apply the theory. You must submit this worksheet,
where indicated, in applicable assignments. Then you will
compile the worksheet for your Theories Study Guide (that you
can use for the licensure exam) at the end of the course.
Name of theory
Psychoanalytic Theories and Attachment Theory
Author or founder
Historical origin of theory
Basic assumptions
Underlying assumptions
Key concepts
Foci/unit of analysis
Philosophical or conceptual framework
Strengths of theory
Limitations of theory
Common criticisms

7. When and with whom it would be appropriate to use the
theory/model
Consistency of theory/model with social work principles
Identification of goodness of fit with ethical principles
Ways in which theory/model informs research methods
Implications for social work practice
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Worksheet: Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case
Study
Most theories can be dissected and analyzed. All theories will
tell you something about their focus or unit of analysis. A
theory will identify its major or key concepts. It will also point
to the definition of the problem and its cause. This then guides
how the social worker assesses and intervenes, because the
theory will also articulate the role of the social worker and how
change occurs.
Basic Assumptions of the Theory
Directions: For each section, respond in 2 to 3 sentences to the
following prompts. Where relevant, provide citations to support
your claims.
Name of theory Attachment Theory

8. Name of theorist
What are the major assumptions of the theory?
What are the theory’s key concepts?
What is the theory’s focus or unit of analysis?
What is the theory’s overall explanation for the cause of
problems?
Application to a Case Study <Ella Schultz>
Directions: For each section, respond to the following prompts.
Where relevant, provide citations to support your claims.
In 1 to 2 sentences, how does the theory define the client’s
presenting problem?
In 1 to 2 sentences, how does the theory explain the cause of the
client’s presenting problem?
In 1 to 2 sentences, how does the theory explain the role of the
social worker for this client?

9. In 1 to 2 sentences, what does the theory say about how this
client will improve or how change will occur?
Using the theory, list two to three (2–3) assessment questions to
ask this client to explore the client’s goals and how they will
get there.
According to the theory, identify two to three (2–3) specific
practice intervention strategies for the client relative to the
presenting problem. For each, explain in 1 sentence how it will
help meet the client’s goals.
Based on the theory, list two to three (2–3) outcomes when
analyzing whether an intervention is effective.
What is one strength and one limitation in using this theory for
this client?
Questions to Consider When Analyzing the Theory
You are not required to answer these questions for this
assignment. However, these questions could help stimulate
thinking whenever you are asked to analyze a theory.

10. To what extent does the theory apply widely to diverse
situations? Or does it apply narrowly to particular situations?
Is the theory ethical? Is it consistent with the NASW Code of
Ethics?
Is the theory congruent with the professional value base of the
social work field?
How cost effective would it be to implement interventions based
on the theory?
To what extent does the theory fit within the organization’s or
agency’s philosophy?
What do research studies say about how effective the
interventions are?
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