Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumDevelopmental Stages and Transitions

A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the caregivers of a 14-year-old client during a wellness visit. The caregivers express frustration, stating that the client has become hyper-focused on peer approval and frequently challenges family rules. Based on Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which explanation should the nurse provide?

  1. These behaviors are expected as the adolescent works to establish a unique personal identity distinct from the family.Answer
  2. B
    This indicates that the adolescent is struggling to achieve a sense of industry and requires more structured tasks.
  3. C
    These actions suggest the adolescent is regressing to an earlier stage of autonomy and requires strict parental limits.
  4. D
    This behavior is a red flag for a socialization deficit that warrants an immediate psychiatric referral.

Answer

The explanation stating that these behaviors are expected as the adolescent works to establish a unique personal identity distinct from the family.
According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, adolescents (ages 12 to 18) navigate the stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion. During this phase, it is entirely normal and expected for teenagers to prioritize peer relationships and challenge parental authority as they transition from childhood to adulthood and form their own distinct identities.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the client's developmental age and the caregivers' reported concerns.
The client is a 14-year-old adolescent exhibiting a strong focus on peer approval and a tendency to challenge family rules.
Establishing the baseline age is required to determine which developmental milestones and theories apply.
2
Correlate the client's age and behaviors with Erikson's theory of psychosocial development.
A 14-year-old is in the 'Identity vs. Role Confusion' stage, where establishing independence and aligning with peers are hallmark behaviors.
Nurses use Erikson's framework to differentiate expected psychosocial milestones from behavioral abnormalities.
3
Evaluate the options to select the most appropriate anticipatory guidance.
The option that normalizes the behavior as part of establishing personal identity is the correct clinical response.
Caregivers need reassurance that these challenging behaviors are a necessary part of normal adolescent psychosocial development.

Key Concept

Erikson's Psychosocial Stages: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Rate this question

Topics

Developmental Stages and Transitions

More questions from this topic