Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

What is described as a type of emotional distancing that adolescents often use to assert their identity?

1. Disengagement

2. Distancing

3. Displacement

4. Dominant Cultural Discourses

The correct answer is: Distancing

The concept referred to as a type of emotional distancing that adolescents often use to assert their identity is known as distancing. This behavior is a crucial developmental process during adolescence, where individuals navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood. Distancing allows adolescents to explore their own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs separate from those of their parents or authority figures. Through this emotional distancing, adolescents can experiment with different identities and affect how they relate to family, peers, and society. This phase is characterized by a necessary push away from familial ties that fosters independence and self-discovery. It serves as a way for them to delineate their sense of self and establish their place in the world. Understanding this concept is beneficial in therapeutic settings, as recognizing the role of distancing can help therapists support adolescents in their quest for identity, while also providing guidance on how to maintain healthy relationships with family and peers during this formative time.