An Assessment: The Integration of Theory and Interview with An Adolescent
Purpose:
Since adolescence extends into the late teens and early 20’s this assignment requires the student to interview an individual (ages 18-21) focusing on their adolescent developmental years and write a thorough assessment of their development integrating the theoretical material covered in the course.
Students should familiarize themselves (before the interview) with the theories of development that are discussed in the text in the biological, psychological and social development chapters.
Procedure:
You will interview an individual (ages 18 through 21). You may not interview a relative or someone you know well for this assignment. Consider interviewing a classmate, or co-worker.
Please take the time to prepare for your interview. The next section, “Preparing for your Interview” provides some suggestions to help you with this preparation. The second section, “Some Information Gathering Interview Questions” provides some questions to ask your interviewee. The final section, “Assessment Paper”, presents the guidelines for the final paper.
PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERVIEW
1. Look over the questions you are expected to answer in your paper and develop a list of questions/topics to cover during your talk with the interviewee that will enable you to gather the information you need. Sometimes, merely inviting them to tell you about him/herself will be enough, but be prepared to ask the them to elaborate on some items or to address specific issues. Keep in mind that some may be transitioning into the young adulthood stage so questions may need to be sensitive and require them to think about prior adolescent years.
2. While they are reflecting on their adolescent years, be prepared to encourage them to discuss:
•how they conveyed a sense of self as an adolescent
•how they balanced teen activities and relationships
•how they coped with the adolescent developmental stage
•how they related to social systems during their younger adolescent years
•how they currently related to other systems (social supports, school system, extended family, etc.)
•how spiritual and religious factors have been relevant to them.
3. In addition, ask the interviewee at least one of the following questions:
•to name the 1 or 2 people that he/she most admired during adolescence and why;
•who he/she would turn to if he/she needed to talk over a problem.
4. Please identify one additional question or topic that interests you and explore this topic with them.
5.Please do not tape record your interviews. Social workers are expected to take a few notes during an interview and elaborate on those notes following the interview. This is a chance to practice that skill.
SOME INFORMATION GATHERING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS\
Important: Please explain that the purpose of this paper is to gather information on normal adolescent development. You will give permission for your interviewee to not answer any question that they feel is too sensitive. The interviewee will also need to be reminded that they can stop the interview at any time. You should encourage them to only share information that they are comfortable sharing. You will also remind them that you are a mandated reporter and what that means. Before you start the interview, you will get the person’s verbal consent to start with the interview.
Demographics
1. How old were you on your last birthday?
2.Where were you born?
3.What do you consider to be your racial or ethnic identity?
4.Where have you lived most of your life?
Development
1. What are your most significant accomplishments so far? Describe in depth accomplishments related to different aspects of your life (e.g. school, sports, volunteering, etc.).
2.What have been the most significant challenges you have faced so far in your life? How did you meet those challenges? What coping skills did you use? What strengths have you developed?
3.What was your infancy life? What have your family members told you about your infancy? What challenges did you face and what strengths can you trace back to infancy?
4.What was your childhood like? What challenges did you face and what strengths can you trace back to childhood?
5.Today, what are the most important issues that you face?
6.As you look forward to adulthood, what 3 hopes/dreams/wishes do you have? What do you want to be doing 3 years from now?
7.Who are the people who have influenced your development most? What were some of their positive and negative influences? Who is the person you consider most significant and why?
8.What groups and organizations have influenced your development most? What were some of the positive and negative influences of these social systems? Which is the social system you consider most influential and why?
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