To adjust poorly to a new or changing environment, situation, or condition. This often involves behaviors or responses that are ineffective, harmful, or detrimental to one's well-being, personal growth, or social integration. Maladaptation can be a process or a state, indicating a failure to cope successfully with demands, leading to negative consequences. It can manifest in various areas, including psychological, social, and physiological functioning, demonstrating a lack of suitability to circumstances.
Maladapt meaning with examples
- After moving to a bustling city, the introverted artist began to maladapt, retreating further into isolation and struggling to create, finding the constant noise and social interactions overwhelming. This maladaptive behavior hindered her ability to form connections, express her art, and thrive in her new environment, impacting her overall happiness.
- The company's rigid hierarchical structure, resistant to change, caused its employees to maladapt to new technologies and collaborative work models. This maladaptation resulted in decreased productivity, employee dissatisfaction, and ultimately, a loss of market share, as competitors embraced innovation more effectively. The firm struggled and closed.
- The student who relied heavily on rote memorization began to maladapt when faced with analytical essays and open-ended questions. His inability to synthesize information and apply critical thinking skills resulted in poor grades and frustration, causing him to develop anxiety around school work and eventually fail.
- A soldier returning from combat might maladapt to civilian life, experiencing difficulties with social interactions, increased anxiety, and heightened startle responses due to the traumatic experiences. This maladaptive behavior may result in a struggle to readjust or maintain meaningful relationships and a loss of connection to normal life.