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PSY/210
April 3, 2010
Week 9 Final Project: Case Study
Case Study #2
Michael is a 40-year-old airline pilot who has recently begun to experience chest pains. The chest pains began when Michael signed his final divorce papers, ending his 15-year marriage. He fought for joint custody of his two children, ages 12 and 10, but although he wants to be with them more frequently, he only sees them every two weeks. This schedule is, in great part, a result of his employer's announcement that budget constraints would result in layoffs. Michael worries that without his job he will be unable to support his children and lose the new townhouse that he purchased. Michael's chest pains are becoming more frequent and he fears that he may be dying.
1. What are the causes of stress in Michael’s or Jennifer’s life? How is stress affecting Michael’s or Jennifer’s health?
Michael’s causes of stress are coming from life changes and pain and discomfort. The first change that is causing him stress in his life is that he has been going through a divorce and he just had to sign the final papers ending his 15 year marriage. The second change that is causing him stress is that he is fighting for custody of his kids. The third change is that he is having a tough time knowing he is only going to be able to see his kids every two week due to budget constraints at work that might lead to layoffs. He is worried that he will not be able to support his kids. These changes are affecting Michael’s health by causing him to experience chest pains that are being to happen more frequently. He is beginning to fear that he is dying.
2. How are these stressors impacting Michael’s or Jennifer’s self-concept and self-esteem?
These stressors are impacting Michaels’s self-concept and self-esteem tremendously. They are making him doubt himself and a father and an employee. He is already having problems with the fact that he had to sign his divorce