Lifespan Development: Cultural and Contextual Applications for the Helping Professions

by J. Kelly Coker, Kristi B. Cannon, Savitri V. Dixon-Saxon

It's refreshing to see a lifespan text written by helping professionals for helping professionals. This is the exact textbook I have been searching for since I began teaching this course 15 years ago. I know my students will gain a lot of insight from the case studies and podcasts. This is an essential text for my class and I am grateful for all the supplemental instructional resources.

Jennifer R. Curry, PhD, NCC

Shirley B. Barton Endowed Professor

College of Human Sciences and Education

Louisiana State University

Provides fundamental knowledge while challenging readers to question, evaluate, and consider contextual factors when applying developmental theories

This unique and refreshing text imbues lifespan development theories, concepts, and research with unaccustomed energy and life—while meeting the rigorous academic standards required for accreditation in the helping professions. Going beyond mere memorization, the book illuminates the contextual and cultural dimensions of human development by underscoring current and relevant research; considering the racial, social, and economic factors that impact human development; offering the perspectives of a broad spectrum of esteemed helping professionals; and incorporating case studies, podcasts, vivid graphics, and interactive activities.

Highlighting the ways in which developmental theories are applicable to contemporary life, the text uses case studies to demonstrate how clinicians can use their knowledge of development to support client growth, the expertise of multidisciplinary health professionals to highlight different developmental theories and approaches, and analyzes foundational theories against a backdrop of current research that factors in contextual and cultural dimensions. These include a focus on racial and social inequality, social media, children with special needs, persons with disabilities, poverty, and development in time of pandemic. Chapters are organized by lifespan development phases and begin with a case study emphasizing cultural and contextual considerations followed by relevant theories and models to conceptualize the particular phase. Supportive teaching tools include Instructor's Manual, PowerPoints, and Test Bank.

Key

Delivers engaging approach to lifespan development while maintaining strict academic standardsIlluminates the contextual and cultural dimensions of human development by underscoring contemporary researchOffers the perspectives of multidisciplinary experts who highlight varied theories and approachesWritten by authors of different ages, cultural backgrounds, and professional identities to ensure diverse, culturally responsive perspectivesProvides podcasts for most chapters from experts focusing on cultural and contextual dimensions of specific theoriesUses student reflection boxes to focus on specific and current factors impacting developmentIncludes abundant graphics, interactive activities, and links to outside resources to reinforce learning

Genres: Nonfiction

431 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2022

About the author

PhD LCMHC NCC BC-TMH

Reviews

[Artalee]

Textbooks absolutely count for Goodreads goals!! I had to read this whole book for class, so it definitely counts :)

[Clauds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Textbooks count for goodreads!!! If I had to read the whole thing I’m logging it.
As far as textbooks go it’s not too bad. It has a loft of nifty excerpts and counseling examples. At times, it is too repetitive and the in text citations take up so much space in the reading that it’s distracting sometimes lol. Overall it’s pretty engaging of a read for developmental aspects.

[Amy Cowdrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good current textbook about development and diversity. I ordered it directly from the company and had a bit of a difficult experience getting it and making contact with the company so that was a really frustrating piece of my experience. I initially liked the way this book was written. It felt up to date and had topics very relevant to today. Sometimes, it felt like there was a focus on a specific aspect (such as the client being gay) rather than all of the aspects together (the client being gay, navigating religious beliefs, adjusting to moving to a new country, stereotypical expectations in the developmental stage, etc). Obviously, every case and person will be different but sometimes the more cultural aspects got lost behind the sexuality aspects and I believe that all are relevant and play into each other. I was excited to see sexuality frequently mentioned but then it seemed to be the focus of every case. I wish they would’ve spread out some more issues but I appreciate the effort to not give the stereotypical example.

[Natallia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the book difficult to engage with because of the heavy jargon and wordy writing style. The emphasis on race, privilege, and gender overshadowed other important aspects of development, which made it feel unbalanced. Adding more straightforward explanations and visuals would have made the material much easier to absorb.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Narrowly focused on racial, sexual, and gender identity to the exclusion of all else.

Writing is verbose, convoluted, and difficult to follow.

Could benefit from more charts and visuals and a more down-to-earth, universalist viewpoint.

[Alex Byerly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it for class, but that counts right? I’d say I was confused first while reading when it would spend a lot of time talking about the cultural and contextual factors and nothing about the actual theories of development, until I’d read the next chapter. Some case studies were better than others.

[Maycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this textbook! Had to read it for a class but it had meditations throughout the book and great student reflections.