Psychosocial Adaptation to Disability Within the Context of Positive Psychology: Philosophical Aspects and Historical Roots.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to review the conceptual and clinical similarities that exist between the principles of positive psychology and those underlying rehabilitation counseling and psychology, occupational rehabilitation, and those espoused by the field of psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness and disability (CID).


METHODS
Three themes were selected for review. These included the historical contributions of early scholars in the area of psychosocial adaptation to CID that later were indirectly infused into mainstream positive psychology; state and trait constructs that constitute much of the infrastructure of positive psychology and psychosocial adaptation to CID; and, finally, the philosophical congruencies between positive psychology and psychosocial adaptation to CID.


CONCLUSIONS
The existing literature indicates that there is a substantial philosophical and conceptual overlap between the fields of positive psychology and psychosocial adaptation to CID. Since theoreticians and researchers, from both fields, often use differing terminology and definitions to describe similar concepts, as well as seek similar research goals, it would behoove both fields to seek a closer partnership in order to establish a meaningful dialogue that focuses on human strengths and virtues in the lives of people with CID.
Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA. Livnehh@pdx.edu.
Hanoch
H
Livneh
Rehability and Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA.
Erin
E
Martz
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003376:Counseling; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011580:Psychological Techniques / Q000266:history; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000266:history; D000066768:Rehabilitation Research; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Disability; Positive psychology; Psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness