In a developmentally appropriate diagnostic interview for adolescents, which approach best fits?

• A. Rely entirely on standardized questionnaires; avoid conversation.
• B. Conduct rapid, high-pressure interrogation.
• C. Use collaborative, respectful language; emphasize confidentiality within limits; combine structured questions with open-ended prompts; incorporate multi-informant data.
• D. Exclude input from caregivers.

Answer: (C)

In adolescents, the most effective diagnostic interview blends respect, collaboration, and flexibility with solid structure. Using collaborative, respectful language helps build trust and reduces the power gap between clinician and teen, making the adolescent more willing to share honest information. Explaining confidentiality within limits is crucial because it encourages openness about sensitive topics while making clear that certain safety or legal concerns may require sharing information with caregivers or others. Combining structured questions with open-ended prompts gives you reliable coverage of important areas (via the structured part) and rich context, nuance, and personal explanation (via the open-ended prompts), which is essential for understanding how issues present in everyday life. Incorporating multi-informant data means gathering information from caregivers, teachers, and others who know the teen in different settings, providing a fuller, cross-validated view of functioning and behavior.

This approach is preferable because it respects the adolescent’s developmental need for autonomy and trust, asks the right questions in a way that invites thoughtful responses, and relies on multiple sources to form an accurate picture. In contrast, relying only on questionnaires loses the conversational depth and rapport; rapid, high-pressure questioning damages trust and accuracy; and excluding caregiver input omits important context about behavior, history, and functioning across environments.