Heyink J
Department of Health Sciences, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Psychol Rep. 1993 Dec;73(3 Pt 2):1331-42. doi: 10.2466/pr0.1993.73.3f.1331.
An overview is given of the strategies individuals use to overcome misfortune and to restore their subjective well-being. Using adaptation-theory as a frame of reference, three groups of adaptive mechanisms are described, i.e., shifting intrapsychic criteria, cognitive reconstruction, and future-time perception. The differences and similarities with related theoretical perspectives (for instance, 'coping' and 'control') are identified. Many other theoretical notions are briefly discussed and given a place in the presented framework. In the concluding section the possible role of moderating factors (e.g., social support) is discussed. Finally, some adaptational views on psychological dysfunctioning are presented.
