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Developmental Analysis
Name N. Name
Behavioral Sciences Liberty University
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Abstract
Human development is a complex yet fascinating subject. Individuals have unique
journeys that define who they are. Events during our childhood have far-reaching implications on
our adult life. This paper explores my developmental journey from inception to date. My
childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood were troubled. However, I have managed to
overcome this through determination and a strong adherence to Christian values.
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Developmental Analysis
All humans go through a developmental process in their lives. Multiple factors influence
this process, and none of us have truly identical journeys. These unique experiences determine
our physical, cognitive, emotional, and social attributes. The developmental process also exposes
us to challenges and opportunities. Depending on where one comes from, they can experience
disproportionate challenges or numerous opportunities. Like everyone else, I have a unique story
that has made me who I am today. In this paper, I will examine how I have developed throughout
the different stages of my lifespan. I will highlight important growing experiences in my life as
well as the factors that continue to influence who I am today.
Infancy and Toddlerhood
Although detailed information about my mother’s pregnancy is not available, I suspect
that she smoked during her pregnancy because she smoked for the first thirty years of my life.
Maternal smoking is associated with adverse outcomes such as low birth weight and
developmental issues (Janbazacyabar et al., 2021). It also exposes mothers to complications such
as excessive bleeding during pregnancy and delivery (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2023). However, I was born healthy, and I did not experience these complications
during infancy. One of the earliest experiences that left a lasting impact on my life was
devastating burns from hot coffee. This happened when I had just learned to walk as a toddler;
my mom set a cup of coffee she had just poured on the edge of the counter, and I reached the
handle, and it poured all over me, giving me 3rd-degree burns.
According to Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development, infancy is a period of trust
and mistrust (Orenstein & Lewis, 2022). Here, a toddler is fully dependent on others. The toddler
develops trust if their needs are met; if this need is not fulfilled, they develop mistrust (Orenstein
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& Lewis, 2022). Since my trust needs were not met, I developed mistrust in my guardians. The
long recovery that followed the accident presented another hurdle. Relearning to walk after a
period of physical limitations impacted my development within Piaget’s sensorimotor stage
(Babakr et al., 2019). During this period, infants learn about the world through movement and
explore cause-and-effect relationships (Babakr et al., 2019). The disruption in my mobility
challenged the development of these skills, and I was forced to learn how to walk again after
being admitted for an extended duration. Setbacks in motor development impact a child’s
cognitive development and social interaction; hence, my mental capabilities declined.
Middle Childhood
My middle childhood was as eventful as my toddlerhood. When I was ten years old, I ran
neck-first into a barbed wire fence. I got 15 stitches, and the doctor told us if the cut had been a
quarter inch lower, it would have hit my jugular vein. This occurrence had a far-reaching impact
on my cognitive and emotional development in relation to Piaget’s concrete operational stage
and my understanding of my own body and mortality. Piaget’s theory suggests that during this
stage, children develop logical thinking skills and begin to understand cause and effect (Ghazi et
al., 2016). The immediate lesson I acquired was that sharp objects are dangerous. The pain and
the blood symbolized the dangers of sharp objects. The resulting scars have been a reminder of
the experience and have pushed me to avoid similar objects in the future.
The experience also highlighted my mortality. As a child, I seldom thought about death or
comprehended what it truly meant. The close call triggered the realization that even healthy
bodies are susceptible to harm and that life is not infinite. I asked myself: “Why did this happen?
What if I had run faster? How close did I come to being seriously injured? What if the injury
occurred a few inches lower?” Before the accident, I was carefree and willing to experiment with
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extreme games and activities. However, in the aftermath, I developed a heightened sense of
vulnerability and a preoccupation with potential dangers. Research (Thomas & Graeme
O’Connor, 2024) suggests that near-death experiences and close calls in children increase their
preoccupation with danger. In the years that followed, I experienced this firsthand, and it affected
my development in my teenage years.
Emerging Adulthood
The transition from middle childhood to emerging adulthood is characterized by
increased independence, exploration of identity, and the formation of intimate relationships.
However, my journey was disrupted when I was involved in a horrific car accident at the age of
nineteen. My best friend was paralyzed, and I picked the truck up off my other friend, who was
pinned beneath. This event tested my resilience and can be explored through Erikson’s stage of
“intimacy vs. isolation.” According to Orenstein and Lewis (2022) this stage occurs between age
19 and 40. Individuals strive to develop intimate relationships with others. Success leads to
functioning relationships, while failure causes isolation. As someone who had already formed
intimate connections, the trauma of seeing a close friend suffer physical loss challenged my
ability to trust and connect with others on a deeper level. My decision to lift the truck in order to
rescue my friend demonstrated a willingness to put myself at risk to help others – a hallmark of
healthy intimacy.
After the accident, I had traumatic dreams for months. The dreams were my body’s
attempt to handle the fragility of life and the risk of loss of life. During the ordeal and after, my
faith was a critical pillar. According to others, I was able to lift the truck because of adrenaline.
However, I believe that God gave me the strength to rescue a friend and save a life. My belief
system provided comfort through this trying time since, although I was unharmed, my friend
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suffered permanent damage. When faced with grief, our spirituality enables us to find comfort
and live a bearable life (Biancalani et al., 2022). It has helped me understand that events in our
lives happen for a reason, and this gives me great solace each time I face hurdles.
Revisiting My Childhood and Young Adulthood
In addition to the physical mishaps that dotted my childhood and young adulthood, I had
my first encounter with alcohol and drugs at a relatively young age. I was already drinking
alcohol at just 13 years old. For many other boys my age, this was a period of growth and
experimentation. Growing up around an alcoholic father pushed me toward alcoholism and drug
use– a vice I struggled with until I was thirty-five. My entry into addiction can be best explained
through Albert Bandura’s social learning theory. The theory proposes that behaviors are learned
through observation, imitation, and social interaction (Bandura, 1969). In my case, growing up
with an alcoholic father increased my risk of developing an addiction. He became my model, and
I adopted his methods of coping with stress and relaxing. From observing him, I learned that
substance use is an acceptable way of handling life’s challenges.
The social learning theory also talks about indirect reinforcement as part of observational
learning. Here, an individual observes the behavior of others and the consequences that follow,
even if those consequences do not directly affect them. In other words, the reinforcement occurs
indirectly through observing someone else’s behavior and the outcomes they experience (Lee,
2016). I do not remember my father encouraging me to drink until I was eighteen. However,
observing the perceived “benefits” he derived from alcohol reinforced the behavior. He was
relaxed and became more social after drinking. He would tell me stories and promise to buy me
gifts for being a good child. I misinterpreted this as a positive outcome and associated alcohol
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with feeling better. When I started drinking, I realized that it made me social, and that
encouraged me to continue drinking alcohol.
My journey through addiction can also be explained through Erikson’s “identity vs. role
confusion stage.” This phase occurs between ages 12 and 18 and is a period of self-discovery and
social experimentation (Ragelienė, 2016). Here, teenagers struggle to answer the question: “Who
am I?” Those who successfully answer the question develop self-awareness and have quality
interactions with others (Ragelienė, 2016). On the contrary, those who do not get the chance to
explore their identities become unsure of who they are, have trouble maintaining relationships,
and are confused about their place in life (Ragelienė, 2016). Given the chaotic and unpredictable
environment associated with parental alcoholism, I could not develop my identity. My mother
also struggled with smoking and was an enabler during this time. As a result, I developed identity
confusion, which drew me further into alcohol consumption and substance abuse.
Erikson’s “industry vs. inferiority” stage is right before “identity vs. role confusion.” It
occurs between ages 6 and 11 and is a period when a child learns new skills. Children who
successfully navigate this stage feel useful and develop a sense of self-worth. They could learn
how to solve an arithmetic problem or how to play a certain sport. This enhances their
confidence and encourages them to learn additional skills. On the other hand, unsuccessful
children develop a sense of worthlessness or inferiority. I developed inferiority because of the
unstable environment at home. Unlike other children who could spend time acquiring new
knowledge, my focus was on handling the emotional turmoil at home. This hindered my sense of
accomplishment and self-efficacy and made substance abuse a suitable option for handling my
shortcomings.
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Middle Adulthood
This stage marked a turning point in my life. After more than two decades of addiction, I
became sober when I lost my wife and three kids, as well as my freedom due to my addiction. In
August 2024, I will celebrate 12 years of sobriety, among other blessings in my life. I have been
blessed beyond measure since I stopped drinking; I have full custody of my kids, a new wife,
two more kids, my own business, an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and I am working
on my graduate degree. The turning point in my life can be explored through Erikson’s
“generativity vs. stagnation” stage. This phase typically occurs between age 40 and 65 (Malone
et al., 2016). However, in my case, it occurred five years earlier, and I continue to enjoy it.
During this stage, adults develop things that will outlast them (Malone et al., 2016). This could
be a family, a business, or positive social change.
I am excelling in all these elements courtesy of radical changes in my life and a
commitment to better myself. For over twenty years, I have not pursued a productive life— most
of my activities were tied to alcohol and drugs. As someone who has always wanted to leave a
mark, I could not bear to enter into stagnation. My Christian faith has been a key pillar in helping
me overcome the challenges I faced during my childhood and early adulthood. While I would
have wanted more parental support, I am grateful that my parents were supportive of my
recovery. I am equally grateful that I spent time learning about Jesus and His impact on my life.
As a father of five, I teach my children the value of spirituality and encourage them to seek a
Jesus based on my own testimony.
My Current Lifestyle and the Future
My journey through addiction and subsequent redemption has made me appreciate a
healthy lifestyle. My priority right now is to spend as much time as possible with my family. I
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realize that I did not develop the connections I would have wanted with my parents or first wife.
I will not repeat the mistakes of the past or make new ones going into the future. Importantly, I
do not seek to engage in substance use as I have firsthand experience with the dangers this can
cause. I also recognize lifestyle behaviors that will positively influence my aging process. One
area of focus is maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, and lean protein promotes healthy aging by reducing the risk of chronic illnesses like
heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (Micha et al., 2017). I will stick to this diet as part of my plan
to remain healthy.
The other areas I will prioritize as I age are physical exercise and quality sleep. Exercise
enhances our physical fitness and cognitive capabilities. It not only makes us feel younger but
also minimizes the risk of lifestyle diseases like obesity (Arietaleanizbeaskoa et al., 2020). As I
grow older, I realize that my body is no longer as athletic as it was a decade or two ago. Exercise
will allow me to remain fit and delay the onset of disease (Arietaleanizbeaskoa et al., 2020).
Prioritizing quality sleep is essential for physical and mental health during aging. Insufficient
sleep can contribute to cognitive decline, impaired immune function, and increased risk of
chronic diseases. I will establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine,
and ensure my bedroom environment is conducive.
Suggestions for Further Research
Understanding the factors influencing human development across the lifespan provides
valuable insights for promoting healthy aging. Based on the analysis of my developmental
journey, future studies can investigate how early childhood experiences, such as parental
involvement, educational opportunities, substance use, and socio-economic status, affect long-
term outcomes in adulthood. Longitudinal studies can provide insights into the critical factors
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that have the greatest impact on a child’s life. Subsequent research should also explore the
impact of spirituality on an individual’s resilience. For me, spirituality has been an important
pillar; is this the same case for others? What are some of the differences across cultures and age
groups? These questions can form the basis of future studies and enable scholars to develop new
insights into human development.
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