When working with a teenager involved in gang activity, which approach should the social worker consider?

When considering an ecological systems approach in working with a teenager involved in gang activity, the focus shifts to understanding the various systems that influence the individual. This approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of the teenager's environment, including their family, school, peer group, community, and societal factors. By examining these multiple layers, a social worker can assess how each system impacts the teenager's behavior and choices regarding gang involvement.

This broader perspective allows for a comprehensive understanding of the influences that contribute to the teenager's situation. By addressing not just the individual but also their relationships and environment, the social worker can work to identify strengths and supports while also recognizing challenges within these systems. Interventions may include engaging the family, collaborating with schools, providing community resources, or addressing societal issues that impact the teen.

In this context, focusing solely on the individual (as in the psychodynamic approach) or on specific behaviors (as in the behavioral approach) would limit the understanding of the complex factors at play. Similarly, the cognitive restructuring approach, which focuses primarily on changing thought patterns to influence behavior, would not fully consider the broader ecological factors affecting the teenager's decisions and circumstances. Thus, the ecological systems approach best equips the social worker to effectively address the multifaceted influences on the teenager