Assignment task:
Meredith is a single, 28-year-old veteran who just returned from serving for four years in Afghanistan. She is having trouble with finding a job and struggling to support herself. Although Meredith wants to work, she finds it difficult because of the depressed economy in her own small town where she was living before she was drafted to Afghanistan. She also has challenges with job skills, as she did not have a chance to attend college or university. However, she has some experience in retail customer service, where she worked before serving in Afghanistan.
In addition, Meredith has numerous health challenges. Among other symptoms, she suffers from migraines and symptoms of PTSD, and she has troubles sleeping and concentrating. The stress caused by unemployment, by health problems and by experiences she had while serving in the army has caused her to sometimes wish that she could find a way out and not feel so bad all the time.
Meredith was born in Bolivia and her parents migrated to US when she was five. Meredith's parents are deceased, and she is living in her parents' friend's basement until she finds a job.
As a social worker, please carefully examine Meredith's situation. How can the 'person-in- environment' theories be applied to Meredith's situation? Analyze this case from systems theory, ecological theory and/or integrate micro/mezzo/macro approach.