A mother expresses concern to the nurse about the behavior of her 15-year-old adolescent who is frequently finding fault and criticizing her. What information should the nurse provide?

• A. The family value system may need to be changed to meet the teen's changing needs.
• B. Teens create psychological distance from parents in order to separate from them.
• C. Parents should relinquish their relationship with their teen to the teen's peers.
• D. Conflicts in the parent-teen relationship are to be expected during adolescence.

Answer: (A)

Adolescence brings a shift in how family values and boundaries work as teens push for more autonomy. When a 15-year-old frequently finds fault with a parent, it signals the need to renegotiate family dynamics rather than simply labeling the behavior as bad. The nurse should guide the mother to consider adjusting the family value system to fit the teen’s changing needs—reassessing rules, communication patterns, and responsibilities so the teen feels respected while still receiving guidance. This approach helps maintain the parent–child relationship while supporting growing independence.

Teens do show some distancing and require autonomy, but the main action is not about pushing distance or handing over control to peers. Occasional conflicts are common, but simply noting that isn’t enough to help families navigate the change. The constructive guidance is to adapt the values and expectations within the family to meet the developmental shifts.