ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a brief synthesis of the hundreds of studies regarding psychological adjustment to chronic diseases in adults. Researchers have proposed several conceptualizations of adjustment to chronic disease. General theories of adjustment to stressful experiences, such as that of Lazarus and Folkman, can serve as a foundation for understanding adjustment to chronic disease. Strong social support partially explains trajectories of psychological adjustment to chronic illness. Relatively few studies have tested comprehensive models of adjustment in longitudinal designs. Researchers also typically gather reports of disease- and treatment-related symptoms or related life disruption as markers of adjustment. The diverse contexts that influence appraisal and coping processes, ultimately shaping adjustment, include macrolevel factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), gender, and culture, as well as the interpersonal, intrapersonal, and disease-related contexts. Accordingly, characteristics of the situation, personal resources, cognitive appraisals, and individual coping processes all influence adjustment.
