Question

Joshua recently moved into a dormitory to begin his freshman year in college. He was reprimanded by the dormitory supervisor for not properly disposing of food items and responded by throwing all of his belongings from a second story window while shouting obscenities. The campus police escorted him to campus health services, where he was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder with Disturbance of Conduct. Which of the following items in Joshua's history predispose him to this disorder? Select all that apply.

1) Joshua reports that he doesn't have any friends in the dormitory.
2) Joshua's family currently lives out of the country and are often difficult to reach.
3) Joshua was notified the same day that he would have to withdraw from one of his classes because he didn't have the prerequisite credits needed to register for the class.
4) Joshua has a higher than average GPA and is a member of The National Honor Society.

Answer 1

Joshua's predisposition to an Adjustment Disorder with Disturbance of Conduct could stem from social isolation, lack of family support, and academic stress. These factors can contribute to feelings of loneliness, stress, and emotional distress.

Step-by-step explanation:

Adjustment disorders are psychological responses to identifiable stressors, resulting in emotional or behavioral symptoms. In Joshua's case, several factors could predispose him to an Adjustment Disorder with Disturbance of Conduct. These include:

• Social isolation - Joshua reports that he doesn't have any friends in the dormitory, suggesting a lack of social support which can significantly impact mental health.
• Family support - Joshua's family currently lives out of the country and is often difficult to reach, potentially leading to feelings of loneliness and stress.
• Academic stress - Being notified the same day that he would have to withdraw from one of his classes due to lacking prerequisites can cause significant emotional distress, contributing to mental health issues.

His high GPA and membership in The National Honor Society, while positive achievements, are not directly linked to a predisposition for adjustment disorders. In fact, high academic achievement can sometimes correlate with higher levels of stress and pressure, potentially exacerbating adjustment challenges.