WordGarden.iomaladjustment
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
Meanings
Noun
impaired psychological or social adjustment to ordinary life or surroundings
faulty or improper adjustment of a machine, device, or system
Beyond the definition
Imagine trying to fit a square peg into a round hole: that's the essence of maladjustment. It describes a situation where someone or something does not fit in well, whether emotionally, socially, or in a practical way. A child struggling in school because of ongoing anxiety might be showing emotional maladjustment. In a more technical sense, a machine with badly set parts can have a mechanical maladjustment. The word suggests an imbalance that points to a need for correction.
Think of it like this: adjustment is the process of finding your place; maladjustment is the failure to do so. You might hear about "social maladjustment" when someone struggles to connect with others or follow basic social rules. While it is not always severe or permanent, it signals that something is not quite right and may need careful attention.
Maladjustment refers to difficulty or failure in adapting effectively to new conditions, environments, or situations. It suggests a persistent imbalance between a person's internal needs and the external demands placed on them. This disconnect can appear in various ways, including emotional, social, psychological, or even operational problems.
Historically, maladjustment was a common term in psychology, especially in psychoanalytic theory, used to describe behaviors that make it harder for a person to function well in society. For example, a child who consistently acts out or becomes withdrawn in a classroom setting might be described as showing behavioral maladjustment. Similarly, an adult struggling with chronic anxiety and difficulty maintaining stable relationships could be said to be going through a period of maladjustment.
However, the term is not limited to psychology. It can apply to any system or situation where parts are not working well because they do not fit or align properly. A machine that vibrates excessively because its parts are poorly timed has a mechanical maladjustment. An organization struggling with deep internal conflict and inefficient workflows might be described as having an organizational maladjustment.
The key idea is that maladjustment implies a disconnect: a failure to live or work in balance with one's surroundings or circumstances. It suggests a need for change, whether through personal growth, therapy, or practical changes to the environment. Recognizing maladjustment is often the first step toward finding a solution and achieving greater well-being and better functioning.
Examples
- 1
School move
The move to a new school led to a period of emotional maladjustment.
- 2
Bullied children
Counselors look for signs of social maladjustment in children who have been bullied.
- 3
City life
His maladjustment to life in the city became clear after a few months.
- 4
Housing market
Economists warned that sudden price controls could create serious maladjustments in the housing market.
See also
Similar
- poor adjustment
- maladaptation
- dysfunction
Shades of meaning
- alienation
- emotional disturbance
Contrast
- healthy adjustment
- resilience
Used with (collocations)
- social maladjustment
- emotional maladjustment
- behavioral maladjustment
Word family
- maladjusted
- adjust
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- maladjustmentnoun
Forms
- maladjustmentspluralnoun