In response to grief, adolescents may either rely more on friendships or detach from others.

• A. They will withdraw completely from social contact.
• B. They always seek comfort only from family.
• C. They ignore emotions entirely.
• D. They may rely more on friends or detach from others.

Answer: (D)

Grief in adolescence is expressed in varied, individual ways, shaped by the strong pull of peer relationships during this life stage. Friends often become a primary source of support, so turning to them for comfort is a common and natural response. At the same time, some adolescents may pull back from others as a way to cope, protect themselves, or manage overwhelming feelings. This range—sometimes leaning on friends, sometimes detaching—best reflects the diversity of coping patterns seen in grieving teens.

Other options imply a single, universal reaction (withdrawal from all social contact, exclusive reliance on family, or ignoring emotions), which doesn’t capture how differently youths cope and how much peer support can matter in adolescence.