Introduction
British citizen Tony (Antony), who appears in the “7 Up” documentary series, was born in the East End, London, in 1956. He was chosen to take part in the original 1964 documentary “7 Up,” which sought to examine the socioeconomic and cultural divides in British society by following the lives of fourteen British children (Apted, 1964). Tony has had a number of developmental challenges over the course of his life, which have had a big impact on him.
The fact that Tony was in a children’s home after his parents’ divorce significantly impacted his psychological and emotional growth. In the documentary, Tony talked about how his experience of being unloved and rejected led to trust issues and a dread of being abandoned. The feeling of a lack of attachment to his family and abandonment negatively impacted Tony’s life for a very long time.
Tony was expelled from school in his late teens and started committing small-time crimes. He consequently served some time in jail, which had an impact on his future ability to find work and maintain friendships. He also battled alcoholism and drug addiction, which had a detrimental effect on his physical and emotional well-being.
By getting married and raising a family later in life, Tony was able to find stability in his personal life. However, some financial issues and unemployment affected his self-esteem and self-confidence. These developmental problems may have changed Tony’s direction in life, affecting his intimate connections, career prospects, and general well-being.
One of the fundamental theories and research on the person’s lifespan is Freud’s theory of the psychosexual development of people. It is important to stress that Freud focused on studying the relationships between the different stages of human life concerning their overall growth (Sayers, 2020). The theory of psychosexual development asserts that early, child-based experience shapes a person’s character and behavior for the rest of their life and significantly impacts their perception of the world (Sayers, 2020). Therefore, this research by Freud will be an essential basis for analyzing Tony’s psychological and mental changes.
Analysis of Developmental Issues
The documentary “7 Up,” which details Tony’s life events, offers a chance to examine the effects of traumatic childhood events on emotional, psychological, and behavioral development. Understanding Tony’s life and circumstances can be based on theoretical and empirical literature that emphasizes the possible long-term effects of early childhood trauma and attachment issues. According to John Bowlby’s attachment theory, the quality of early attachment experiences can have a lasting impact on a person’s emotional and psychological development (Costa et al., 2019). Tony probably struggled with attachment and trust issues later in life as a result of his early experiences at a children’s home where he felt neglected and rejected (Zacher & Froidevaux, 2021). Consequently, his insecurity made it difficult for Tony to establish qualitative relationships with friends, his wife, and his family.
Noteworthy that Tony might have struggled with self-confidence and low self-esteem due to his circumstances, which would have affected his ability to connect and build relationships with others. In addition, his experiences might have had an impact on his capacity to control his emotions, resulting in angry outbursts or emotional numbness. In addition to the abovementioned factors, the social and economic environment can also cause personal traumas (Aboud & Prado, 2018).
Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the effects of early childhood experience to create efficient solutions that can support people like Tony. Early intervention can assist people with developing healthy attachment bonds, coping skills, and effective emotion regulation (Malti, 2021). A further way to interrupt the cycle of trauma and disadvantage and encourage long-term beneficial outcomes is to address the social and economic causes that contribute to it.
The effects of trauma inflicted during early childhood on adults have also been studied in the literature. It is important to emphasize that the negative behavior of an adult is determined mainly by their traumatic experience in childhood (Angela, 2018; Gebreab et al., 2018). It is possible to see Tony’s involvement in minor crimes, battles with addiction, and alcoholism as possible results of early trauma and damaged bonding.
The literature has extensively explored the function of coping strategies in response to emotional and psychological stressors (Hoemann et al., 2019; Nagy et al., 2019). Using unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as abusing substances, can make things worse and lead to new issues (Clark & Watson, 2019). One could argue that Tony’s battles with addiction and alcoholism are potentially harmful coping techniques for his emotional and psychological difficulties.
Finally, Tony’s life experiences show how adverse childhood events may have a long-term effect on an individual’s emotional, psychological, and behavioral development. Understanding the difficulties experienced by people like Tony requires a theoretical and empirical foundation that is based on attachment theory, the effects of early childhood trauma, and coping mechanisms. The findings emphasize the value of early intervention and assistance for those dealing with traumatic childhood events in order to avoid bad outcomes that may last a lifetime.
Analysis of Key Ethical Issues
The “7 Up” documentary series and other longitudinal psychological studies pose a number of moral questions that must be taken into account. These moral concerns include the possibility of participant damage, informed consent, privacy, and secrecy. The analysis that follows, which is based on pertinent literature, will go over these ethical concerns.
In lifetime psychology research, informed consent is a crucial ethical problem (Richter et al., 2019; Skinner & Wellborn, 2019). Before deciding to participate, participants must be thoroughly informed about the research and how it may affect their lives. It is unlikely that the participants in the “7 Up” series comprehended the long-term effects of their participation since they were only seven years old when they initially decided to take part. The participants had the option to revoke their agreement and the choice to forego taking part in later documentaries as they grew older, though.
In Tony’s instance, the documentary makers followed up on his life every seven years, encouraging him to consider the past and talk about painful experiences he had. He might have had emotional anguish or unpleasant memories as a result of this strategy, which could have had detrimental psychological effects (Sutton, 2019). Moreover, the filmmakers asked Tony to provide private material in a public setting, which would have exposed him to stigma or unfavorable criticism from viewers.
The matter of informed consent is another ethical challenge. It is unknown how well Tony comprehended the goals and methodology of the study, as well as whether he provided fully informed consent to participate. He may not have completely understood the probable effects of participation because he was a child when the research started, and he may not have had the chance to leave at any point.
Other important ethical concerns in lifetime psychological research are privacy and secrecy. It is possible to argue that the “7 Up” participants’ right to privacy was violated when they were recorded and interrogated about their personal lives. However, the filmmakers took precautions to conceal their faces in some sequences and use pseudonyms to safeguard their identities.
Another ethical concern that needs to be taken into account is the possibility of harm to the participants (Stover & Keeshin, 2018). Some of the participants in the “7 Up“ series dealt with difficult life situations, like poverty, divorce, and mental health problems, which were documented on camera. Given that they were still youngsters when the series premiered, the participants may have experienced emotional trauma from the exposure of these private issues. However, the filmmakers took precautions to reduce harm by not taking advantage of the participants and by sensitively and respectfully presenting their stories.
Overall, the “7 Up” series’ lifetime psychological research presents a number of moral concerns about informed consent, participant safety, and privacy and confidentiality. The participants’ consent and privacy were subject to some restrictions, although the filmmakers took precautions to safeguard their identities and prevent unnecessary harm. In the end, the series offers insightful perspectives into the lives of people who encounter difficult circumstances, emphasizing the significance of ethical considerations in lifetime psychological study.
Reflection of Tony’s Well-Being and Resilience
Over the course of his life, Tony has faced a variety of difficulties that have had an effect on his emotional and psychological health. Nonetheless, despite these challenges, he has shown a great amount of fortitude and a desire to better his life. Drawing from pertinent research, we will analyze the primary tactics Tony has employed to keep his well-being and resilience in this study. In order to keep his well-being and resiliency, Tony has employed a number of tactics, including looking for dependable and encouraging partnerships.
Despite having a challenging upbringing, Tony was subsequently able to develop deep bonds with his wife and kids. These connections gave him a feeling of community and emotional support, both of which are necessary for sustaining well-being and resilience (Pluess et al., 2018). The literature claims that social support helps mitigate stress and encourages emotional control, which supports psychological well-being.
Tony has also employed the tactic of asking for assistance when necessary. Tony realized he needed help from a specialist to get over his addiction when he battled with drinking and drug addiction. He sought treatment for his addiction and attended meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, which enabled him to recover control over his life. In order to retain resilience and well-being, it is crucial to ask for assistance when necessary (Rolffs et al., 2018).
This helps to address issues before they worsen and become insurmountable. In addition, Tony has consistently shown himself to be highly adaptable, which has aided in his resiliency. He has been able to adapt and find novel means of helping himself and his family despite confronting obstacles like unemployment and financial troubles. Resilience is mostly dependent on one’s capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and overcome challenges.
Tony’s methods for preserving his well-being and resilience are consistent with the research on those topics. Key elements in fostering resilience and well-being over the lifetime include social support, asking for assistance when necessary, and adaptation. Finding supportive relationships, getting professional assistance when necessary, and being flexible can aid in fostering and maintaining resilience in those experiencing comparable difficulties (Kornadt et al., 2020).
There are other approaches that can be recommended in addition to Tony’s methods for fostering and maintaining resilience (Thompson et al., 2019). Using mindfulness, which entails paying attention to the current moment without passing judgment, is one such tactic (Thompson et al., 2022). It has been discovered that mindfulness is useful for lowering stress, enhancing emotional control, and enhancing general well-being (Simpson et al., 2020).
Another tactic to foster resilience and well-being is to engage in physical activity and exercise. Frequent exercise has been shown to lessen the signs of sadness and anxiety and boost physical health. Lastly, it has been discovered that a major element in encouraging well-being and resilience is having a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Setting objectives, pursuing passions, and finding ways to give back to the community are all methods to accomplish this.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the “7 Up“ documentary series participant Tony’s story serves as a concluding example of the possible long-term repercussions of early childhood trauma on emotional, psychological, and behavioral development. The problems faced by individuals like Tony are shown through the analysis of his life events based on attachment theory, the impact of early childhood trauma, and coping methods. In order to prevent negative results that could last a lifetime, it highlights the importance of early intervention and support for those living with traumatic childhood traumas. Yet, the film also brings up significant ethical issues around participant safety, informed consent, and privacy in lifetime psychiatric research. Although the filmmakers took safety measures, there were some limitations on the participants’ consent and privacy. In general, the “7 Up“ series offers insightful perspectives into the lives of those who deal with challenging situations, highlighting the need for understanding, compassion, and early support for those dealing with early childhood trauma.
References
Apted, M. (Director). (1964). 7 Up [Documentary]. Granada Television. Web.
Aboud, F. E., & Prado, E. L. (2018). Measuring the implementation of early childhood development programs. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1419(1), 249-263. Web.
Angela, M. O. (2018). Structuration and individualization: The life course as a continuous, multilevel process. Generating Social Stratification, 3-16. Web.
Clark, L. A., & Watson, D. (2019). Constructing validity: New developments in creating objective measuring instruments. Psychological Assessment, 31(12), 1412. Web.
Costa Jr, P. T., McCrae, R. R., & Löckenhoff, C. E. (2019). Personality across the life span. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 423-448. Web.
Gebreab, S. Z., Vandeleur, C. L., Rudaz, D., Strippoli, M. P. F., Gholam-Rezaee, M., Castelao, E., Lasserre, A. M., Glaus, J., Pistis, G., Kuehner, C., Känel, R., Marques-Vidal, P., Vollenweider, P., & Preisig, M. (2018). Psychosocial stress over the lifespan, psychological factors, and cardiometabolic risk in the community. Psychosomatic Medicine, 80(7), 628-639. Web.
Nagy, N., Froidevaux, A., & Hirschi, A. (2019). Lifespan perspectives on careers and career development. In Work across the lifespan (pp. 235-259). Academic Press.
Hoemann, K., Xu, F., & Barrett, L. F. (2019). Emotion words, emotion concepts, and emotional development in children: A constructionist hypothesis. Developmental Psychology, 55(9), 1830. Web.
Kornadt, A. E., Kessler, E. M., Wurm, S., Bowen, C. E., Gabrian, M., & Klusmann, V. (2020). Views on ageing: A lifespan perspective. European Journal of Ageing, 17, 387-401. Web.
Malti, T. (2021). Kindness: A perspective from developmental psychology. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 18(5), 629-657. Web.
Pluess, M., Assary, E., Lionetti, F., Lester, K. J., Krapohl, E., Aron, E. N., & Aron, A. (2018). Environmental sensitivity in children: Development of the Highly Sensitive Child Scale and identification of sensitivity groups. Developmental psychology, 54(1), 51. Web.
Rolffs, J. L., Rogge, R. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2018). Disentangling components of flexibility via the hexaflex model: Development and validation of the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI). Assessment, 25(4), 458-482. Web.
Richter, L., Black, M., Britto, P., Daelmans, B., Desmond, C., Devercelli, A., Dua, T., Fernald, L., Hodge, L., Janus, M., Knaul, F., Kumar, M., Li, W., Lu, C., Neufeld, L., Nixon, J., Nair, M., Nores, M., … Vargas-Barón, E. (2019). Early childhood development: An imperative for action and measurement at scale. BMJ Global Health, 4(Suppl 4), e001302. Web.
Sayers, J. (2020). Sigmund Freud: The basics. Taylor & Francis.
Stover, C. S., & Keeshin, B. (2018). Research domain criteria and the study of trauma in children: Implications for assessment and treatment research. Clinical Psychology Review, 64, 77-86. Web.
Sutton, T. E. (2019). Review of attachment theory: Familial predictors, continuity and change, and intrapersonal and relational outcomes. Marriage & Family Review, 55(1), 1-22. Web.
Skinner, E. A., & Wellborn, J. G. (1994). Coping during childhood and adolescence: A motivational perspective. In Life-span development and behavior (pp. 91-134). Routledge.
Simpson, J. A., Rholes, W. S., Eller, J., & Paetzold, R. L. (2020). Major principles of attachment theory. In Social psychology: Handbook of basic principles (pp. 222-239). Guildford Press.
Thompson, R. A., Simpson, J. A., & Berlin, L. J. (2022). Taking perspective on attachment theory and research: Nine fundamental questions. Attachment & Human Development, 24(5), 543-560. Web.
Thompson, R. A., Laible, D., Padilla-Walker, L. M., & Carlo, G. (2019). Early moral development and attachment theory. In The Oxford handbook of parenting and moral development (pp. 21-39). Oxford University Press.
Zacher, H., & Froidevaux, A. (2021). Life stage, lifespan, and life course perspectives on vocational behavior and development: A theoretical framework, review, and research agenda. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 126. Web.