In a support group for children of divorce, which element is most important to include in a confidentiality contract?

• A. A stipulation that children can tell their parents about disclosures by other students in the group
• B. A reminder that any student who breaches the contract will be removed from the group
• C. A statement emphasizing that confidentiality must be maintained even after a member leaves the group or the group is disbanded
• D. A detailed list of disclosures that the social worker leading the group would have to report to authorities if they are mentioned (abuse, neglect, etc.)

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is that confidentiality must extend beyond the time a member participates in the group. For children of divorce, trust in the group hinges on knowing that what is shared stays private, not only while they’re there but even after they leave or after the group ends. This ongoing commitment to privacy protects the child’s sense of safety, encourages open and honest sharing during sessions, and helps prevent lingering fear that information might reappear later in ways that could harm them or their family.

The other options don’t support that foundational trust as effectively. Allowing disclosures to parents would erode the safety of the space; using removal as the primary consequence focuses on punishment rather than safeguarding privacy; and while there are reporting obligations for serious issues, listing disclosures to authorities in a way that implies every potential disclosure must be catalogued is not the core element that preserves the group’s confidential nature.