Maladjustment

Maladjustment is a term used in psychology to describe difficulty in adjusting to one's environment, social expectations, or role requirements that results in persistent behavioral or emotional problems. It is not a formal diagnosis in most modern diagnostic systems, but historically has been used to categorize individuals who struggle to adapt in family, school, work, or community settings. The label can apply to children, adolescents, or adults and may reflect a mismatch between individual temperament and environmental demands, rather than a specific disease.

In practice, maladjustment is discussed in relation to broader issues such as conduct problems, oppositional behaviors, anxiety, depression, or learning difficulties. Causes are typically multifactorial, including temperament, family dynamics, exposure to trauma or stress, socioeconomic factors, and school difficulty. Assessment relies on clinical observation and functional impairment across domains; standardized diagnostic criteria are limited, so modern psychology tends to prefer precise diagnoses and an evaluation of underlying conditions.

Criticism of the term centers on its vagueness and potential stigmatization, and it is considered less useful in contemporary psychiatry or psychology than specific disorder labels. Management emphasizes environmental modification, skill-building, and support rather than labeling. Interventions may include behavioral therapies, family or school-based programs, and treatment of comorbid conditions. The concept remains relevant as a historical and descriptive notion of maladaptation to social or environmental demands.