In adolescent risk assessment, which factor must be navigated?

• A. Parental involvement is never required in risk decisions.
• B. Confidentiality and parental involvement considerations in decisions about safety planning and disclosure.
• C. Confidentiality is identical to adult practice with no parental involvement required.
• D. Risk assessment outcomes are shared only with the patient.

Answer: (B)

Balancing confidentiality with parental involvement in safety planning and disclosure is essential in adolescent risk assessment. Adolescents may share more openly when they know their privacy is respected, but when there is risk of harm, clinicians must navigate how and when to involve parents or guardians to ensure effective safety planning and appropriate disclosure. This nuanced approach differs from adult practice, where the focus is often more strictly on patient autonomy and confidentiality. Therefore, the statement that highlights considering both confidentiality and parental involvement in decisions about safety planning and disclosure best captures how these assessments must be handled. The other ideas aren’t consistent with practice: parental involvement isn’t never required, confidentiality isn’t identical to adult practice, and risk outcomes aren’t shared only with the patient.