maladjustment

[ mal-uh-juhst-muhnt ]

noun

1. bad or unsatisfactory adjustment.

maladjustment

/ ˌmæləˈdʒʌstmənt /

noun

1. psychol a failure to meet the demands of society, such as coping with problems and social relationships: usually reflected in emotional instability
2. faulty or bad adjustment

maladjustment

1. Inability to react successfully and satisfactorily to the demands of one's environment. Though the term applies to a wide range of biological and social conditions, it often implies an individual's failure to meet social or cultural expectations. In psychology , the term generally refers to unsatisfactory behavior patterns that cause anxiety and require psychotherapy .

Word History and Origins

Origin of maladjustment¹

First recorded in 1825–35; mal- + adjustment

Example Sentences

It was in those days that I first became critical of my life and burdened with a sense of error and maladjustment.

From Project Gutenberg

Few people are really lazy, he thought: what we call laziness is merely maladjustment.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor is there any à priori reason why there should not be from time to time such general maladjustment.

From Project Gutenberg

Now if it be admitted that such maladjustment is possible, the balance can only lean one way.

From Project Gutenberg

The maladies and defects which we detect in modern industry are but the measure of a present maladjustment.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• insanity
• mental disorder