In family therapy for a 16-year-old boy with adolescent adjustment disorder, what should be the best initial nursing approach?

Encouraging each family member to share how the problem is perceived is crucial in family therapy, especially for a 16-year-old dealing with adolescent adjustment disorder. This approach fosters open communication, allowing each family member to express their feelings, concerns, and perspectives about the issues at hand. It helps to validate each person's experiences and encourages an understanding of the situation from multiple viewpoints. By facilitating this dialogue, the therapist can gain insight into family dynamics and the individual roles that each member plays, which can inform strategies for addressing the adolescent's difficulties.

Moreover, this inclusive approach promotes a sense of collaboration and support within the family, which is essential in helping the adolescent feel understood and less isolated in their struggles. Addressing how the problem is perceived also allows family members to identify common ground and enact changes collectively, rather than focusing solely on one person's issues, which can lead to feelings of blame or opposition.