What Is Psychosocial Adaptation?

Psychosocial adaptation is a medical term used in the fields of psychology and rehabilitation. The word "psychosocial" is defined in the Dictionary of Nursing as: "involving or relating to both the social and psychological aspects of a patient's life." Although there is no one universally accepted definition of psychosocial adaptation, most definitions of this construct involve the ability of a person affected by a serious health setback, such as cancer or chronic disability, to emotionally cope with their condition so that they can maintain some quality of life.

Measures of Psychosocial Adaptation

• Researchers of psychosocial adaptation have used various methods to measure patients' emotional state as they cope with a physical condition, depending on the type of condition and other factors, but these measurements generally involve assessment of the patient's quality of life in terms of enjoyment of activities and relationships, sense of control and self-image. One study of psychosocial adaptation among multiple sclerosis patients, published in the "Journal of Rehabilitation," measured MS patients' sense of satisfaction and control in their life. Another study, discussed in the book, "Psychosocial Adaptation to Pregnancy," measured the psychosocial adaptation of pregnant women in terms of acceptance of the pregnancy, relationship with her husband/partner, motivation to take on the role of motherhood, self-esteem, and sense of control.

Obstacles to Psychosocial Adaptation

• Patients with chronic disease or disability often face significant obstacles which they need to overcome in order to achieve psychosocial adaptation. According to an article published in the "Journal of Counseling and Development," patients with chronic illness and disability (CID) are often forced to adapt to stress, trauma, grief, changes to self-image and uncertainty. The article says, for example, that individuals with CID frequently face an increase in both the frequency and severity of stressful conditions because of the need to cope with stressors such as threats to one's life and well-being, body integrity, independence and autonomy, fulfillment of social and vocational roles and other stressors.

Predictors of Psychosocial Adaptation

• Research shows that people who achieve psychosocial adaptation possess certain traits which help them cope. A study of psychosocial adaptation among cancer patients, published in the journal, "Psychosomatic Medicine," found that psychosocial adaptation to cancer was related to a patient's ego strength, concluding that the patients who possessed a strong ego, or strong sense of self, used better coping strategies to deal with their cancer. Another study, published in the "Journal of Pediatric Psychology," examined psychosocial adaptation among adolescents with spina bifada, as well as that of healthy children during adolescence, as measured in terms of scholastic success, social acceptance and positive self-worth. The study found that the best predictors of psychosocial adaptation in early adolescence included intrinsic motivation, behavioral conduct, physical appearance, verbal IQ and coping style. The study found no difference in the predictors of psychosocial adaptation between the two groups of children (the group with spina bifida and the group without), suggesting that processes leading to psychosocial adaptation in adolescence may be similar for youth with and without chronic illness.