ABSTRACT

Knowing how to live a long, happy and healthy life is a universal desire of humankind. Adaptation and Well-Being is a narrative of the human journey from the formation of identity and developing a healthy self-concept, to end of life issues of death and dying. Combining psychological, evolutionary and sociological approaches, the author interprets research from various stages of human development and adaptation. The focus of the book is on how to meet the challenges of life and achieve optimal health and well-being. It is valuable reading for students on life-span courses in counselling and therapy, developmental psychology and social gerontology, tertiary courses such as social work/ social welfare and nursing, and practitioners in these fields.

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

chapter |17 pages

Identity and meaning

Moving toward a healthy self-concept

chapter |18 pages

Communication

The key to effective living

chapter |24 pages

Human sexuality

chapter |19 pages

Gender and human happiness

chapter |16 pages

Friends, lovers and marriage

Is lasting love possible?

chapter |13 pages

Stress and illness

Maladaptation or coping rationally with adversity

chapter |13 pages

Rational or irrational appraisal of the situation

Stress and post-traumatic disorder

chapter |16 pages

Finding the balance

Meeting the challenges of midlife

chapter |35 pages

Death and dying

Denial and acceptance

chapter |23 pages

Living a long and healthy life

Socio-economic status and positive human psychology