Purpose: In this article, we describe how four recent models of psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness and disability (CID) could be fruitfully conceptualized and compared by resorting to the general framework of Lewin's field theory--a theory frequently regarded as a precursor and the primary impetus to the development of the field of…

Recently there has been growing empirical and theoretical attention to the role of meaning in grief, along with increased recognition of the need for more sophisticated definitions of meaning. The present article highlights philosophical issues inherent in the study of meaning and grief, reviews the place of meaning in current theories of grief,…

This article explores the process of consultation to professional networks, teams, groups and individuals concerned with the mental health of children and young people in the care system, and those adopted. Frequently there are significant elements of early trauma suffered by the young people and disruption in the professional organisation. The…

When dealing with families that have been somatically fixated, it is important to initially focus on the symptoms, while not getting dragged into the way that the symptoms have become a centrally organizing event for the family. This allows the clinician to connect with the family around the physical symptoms, which they have become hypervigilant…

This article had four goals. First, the authors identified a set of general challenges and questions that a life-span theory of development should address. Second, they presented a comprehensive account of their Motivational Theory of Life-Span Development. They integrated the model of optimization in primary and secondary control and the…

This article focuses on the common and unique contributions of three major life-span theories in addressing improvement/maintenance and reorientation, which represent central processes of coping with major life change and loss. For this purpose, we review and compare the dual-process model of assimilative and accommodative coping, the model of…

"The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement" (M. Stroebe & H. Schut, 1999) suggests that the most effective adaptation involves oscillation between 2 coping processes: loss-orientation (LO) and restoration-orientation (RO). A 22-item Inventory of Daily Widowed Life (IDWL) was developed to measure these processes and the…

The dominant model of posttraumatic growth (PTG) suggests that growth is precipitated by significant challenges to one's identity or to core assumptions that give one's life meaning, and develops as one goes through meaning-making or schema reconstruction processes. Other perspectives suggest, however, that such growth occurs by other means. We…

Major life changes and role transitions, though often treated as stressors necessitating adjustment, in fact produce a wide range of effects on mental health. Focusing on the role context within which transition events occur, finds that life transitions can be nonproblematic or even beneficial when preceded by chronic role problems. (AF)

Stresses need for model of career decision making that recognizes both normative and chance influences. Discusses role of chance on adult development, ways in which people attempt to understand impact of chance events, and influence of personal characteristics on coping with chance. Summarizes meaning of chance, effects on client decision making,…

A qualitative review of the seventeen narrative accounts in this issue of personal experiences with racism is reported. Discussion includes the "indelible marks" of racism, counselors as social change agents, and counselor training programs. A critical thinking model is presented to help professionals and students to deconstruct racism.…

Two models are described that facilitate the collaborative development of Individual Family Service Plans for families with handicapped children. The theoretical model of the coping process and the decision-making model of personalized learning provide a structure for enhancing family resources for adaptive coping. Two case studies illustrate…

This paper examines resiliency and how it can be fostered through experiential programs. Resiliency is defined as the capacity to spring back, rebound, successfully adapt in the face of adversity, and develop social competence despite exposure to severe stress. A summary of research findings concerning resiliency presents the characteristics of…

A study of 276 women aged 35-64 re-entering higher education used the life-event framework to focus on stresses of university life, coping methods, and adaptations to school demands. Subgroup (women with young families and mature families) experiences were compared. Each had different motives, strains, and coping methods. Program options are…

A study examined career transitions within organizations. Developed and evaluated during the study was a model that views career transitions as a stress-coping process influenced by work and non-work factors. Data from organizational records, a questionnaire, and performance ratings were collected for 109 managers and professionals in a…