Gender-Based Mental Health Issues
One of the gender- based mental health issues presented in the case study was such as the predominance of the interdependence of an individual in the family. As compared to women, Men in Lebanese reliance as well as the interdependence on the family structure greatly differ from women’s due to the fact that when growing up women are expected to be fully compliant and supportive of not only their family of origin but also their new families (Khoury, 2013). The inability of Mona to make decisions as well as to fully differentiate thus, between her families’ needs and her best portrays her cultural background which highly prioritizes interdependence of an individual the on the family rather than individual independence which in Mona’s case brought about anxiety and her inability to make decisions led to depression.
Another gender based mental health issue presented in the case study can be regarded as gender as well as generational hierarchy whereby, women are required to fully submit to male’s authority inclusive of other older family members (Khoury, 2013). Mona’s inability to stop her parent’s intrusion further increased her mental health problems. Another reflection of generational hierarchy is also portrayed by Mona’s reliance thus, on her mother to provide answers to the author’s questions during her first visit despite the questions being addressed to her. Marital problems were another issue that caused her mental problems due to the general view of marriage as more of a union between families.
Social-Cultural Context
The Lebanese culture expects the mother or wife to be a home- maker, pulls the family together and takes care of the children. When Mona saw herself fail in some duties because of the time taken by her job, she got stressed and moved to her parents house. Family members are expected to get along and love each other. However, this is not the case as the son and the husband to Mona are always in constant conflicts and disagreements. The son was rebellious in ways such as smoking and staying out late (Khoury, 2013). This act infuriated the husband and made him take harsh action and complain that it was Mona's fault. The blame and aggressiveness of the two made Mona be stressed and worried.
Culturally, the man is expected to provide for the family, however, in Mona's case, she had to also work after marriage since they were not financially stable. The aspect of Mona working is a contributor to the stresses she has (Khoury, 2013). Also the Lebanese culture puts pressure on unmarried women to relive burden on their families. The pressure into marriage was also a cause of Mona's depression.
Treatment Models for Gender-Based Mental Health Issues
The treatment model used thus, by the author can be regarded as culturally insensitive due to the fact that the model highly promoted individualism as compared to family interdependence which is a feature in the Lebanese culture. Based on Mona's gender- based mental health issue of interdependence on her family, which brought about her depression the author tackled this issue through separating Mona, to a certain degree from her family of origin thus, her parents. This was for the purpose of relieving some her stress that was related to marital discord (Khoury, 2013). To solve the gender issue of generational hierarchy the author coached Mona on how to face her parents directly and express all her needs as well as the changes which she wished for, and she was able to request them not to interfere with her marriage or her family as their interference was a major stress. To solve her marital problems the author advised Mona to focus more on her nuclear family and through this she was able to spend time with her son and husband (Khoury, 2013).
Strengths and Weaknesses
One of the strengths of the treatment is that Mona has enough resources to implement the suggestions the therapist had made to create a change. The self reliance aspect is a major strength and step in the treatment towards recovery. The treatment was able to incorporate a larger family system which was the root cause of her depression thus the family problems became secondary while it focused more on Mona's road to recovery (Khoury, 2013). There were some limitations associated with Mona's treatment such as overindulgence from family members. The Arabic and Lebanese cultures were also a limitation in Mona's treatment as most activities to help her are against the Arabic culture. An example is the fact that the treatment model required Mona to talk to her parents and request them not to interfere with her marriage, which can be regarded as a violation of the gender as well as generational hierarchy, which generally does not allow her to confront her elders but rather to be more submissive to them and their requests.
Reference
Khoury, B. (2013). Case Study of a Female Patient with Anxiety Disorder and Depression.
International Case Studies in Mental Health Car. Sage Publications.
