Adolescent Expectations Regarding Disclosure: The School Counselor's Perspective

Parental knowledge is a significant protective factor for adolescents associated with less engagement in antisocial and delinquent behavior, and lower levels of internalizing and externalizing issues. Adolescent disclosure is the primary method of attaining parental knowledge, but parents and their offspring often experience a disconnect in communication during these formative years. This poster provides insight to better understand why an adolescent might choose to disclose to a school counselor rather than a parent, focusing on the adolescent’s expected responses to disclosure. The school counselor provides a unique and significant perspective because parents and adolescents often share information with a school counselor that they do not share with each other. The information provided in this poster is most helpful for parents, school counselors, and other family practitioners who would like to strengthen their communication with adolescents.