Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 1

What may explain a teenage girl’s behavior of defying parental authority and refusing dietary guidelines?

1. Her parents' misunderstanding of typical adolescent behavior

2. The client's use of illicit substances in addition to medication

3. The client's need to exert control over a part of her life

4. Noncompliance with medication in combination with irregular diet

The correct answer is: The client's need to exert control over a part of her life

The behavior of a teenage girl defying parental authority and refusing dietary guidelines can be understood through her need to exert control over a part of her life. Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by a search for identity and independence. During this phase, many teenagers begin to challenge authority figures, including parents, as a way to assert their own individuality and autonomy. Refusal to follow dietary guidelines can be seen as a manifestation of this struggle for control. By rebelling against rules set by parents, the girl is exercising her ability to make choices for herself, reflecting her desire to establish independence. This behavior is often an expression of the inherent developmental task of adolescents to negotiate their autonomy while still navigating their relationships with authority figures. In contrast, other options present factors that may not directly relate to the core psychological dynamics at play in typical adolescent development. For instance, misunderstandings of adolescent behavior or issues related to medication compliance, while relevant in other contexts, do not directly address the underpinning motivations of seeking control that often characterize this age group. The need to assert control is a fundamental aspect of the developmental journey that many teenagers experience, making it a central explanation for the behavior described.