Reference no: EM133221535

Elise is in her mid-thirties and newly married. She moved with her husband to a new state to support his career that required him to relocate. She does not know anyone in her new town and the two want to start a family. Elise misses her family, but wants to make her marriage work. She finds herself having bouts of anxiety whereby she has trouble eating and sleeping. Her husband is very busy with his new job and she is trying to find a job of her own. When Elise goes to interviews, she finds that her heart starts racing and she becomes very nervous that she will not be able to find employment. She also has not been able to conceive and is wondering if she might have trouble getting pregnant. The more she worries about making their marriage work, the more her anxiety seems to be growing.

Theory 1- Elise is struggling with issues from her past, not feeling that she is fulfilling the roles she is in. Growing up she always worried about being a good enough daughter to her parents. Her defense mechanisms from the anxiety she is experiencing cause her to shut down and not believe in her abilities. Examples of these defense mechanisms could be repression (not wanting to think about moving away from her family and friends) or regression (not believing in her abilities).

Theory 2- Elise is catastrophizing her thinking. It is normal to feel nervous during job interviews, but if she challenges her negative thinking, she can convey more of a sense of belief in her abilities. Rather than comparing herself to role models of what she perceives to be "the perfect wife," she needs to be herself, communicate her needs, and engage in activities that she can associate with relaxation and reward herself with healthy behaviors.

Theory 3- Elise needs to experience unconditional positive regard from her husband and possibly a therapist. She needs to figure out what she needs right now, rather than worrying about what everyone else wants from her. By settling into her new place and enjoying her marriage, she can appreciate all that she has to offer and figure out what she wants to do with her life.

Theory 4- Elise likely has a temperament that inclines her to feelings of anxiety and a need to please others. By acknowledging these tendencies, she can communicate her concerns to her husband and together they can work on helping her adapt to their new environment in a way that meets both of their needs and gives her the support that she needs.

Then, for each theoretical interpretation of the scenario, what theory does it best represent (psychodynamic, learning approaches, humanistic approach, or trait theories). Please justify your answer.

Which of the theories makes the most sense to you to understand the person in the case scenario? Please provide a detailed explanation to support your decision.