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This article describes the development of a proposed unifying theoretical framework for the concept of adjustment as understood by health social workers. This arose from an exploratory study (Nilsson, 2002) aimed at elucidating social workers' understanding of Adjustment to Health Condition and Adjustment to Hospitalisation as Indicators for Intervention. The findings of that study demonstrated that adjustment was conceptualised as a complex, multi-dimensional process including the key inter-related themes of coping, emotion, subjective meaning, integration, adaptation, support, family focus, and process orientation. Participants were, however, unable to identify a unifying meta-theory to explain the described critical inter-relationships between these concepts. The proposed explanatory framework is based substantially on Folkman's (1997) revision of Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) theory of coping as a mediator of emotion and also incorporates important aspects of family systems theory as described by McCubbin and McCubbin (1996). This framework has the potential to assist social workers to better understand and assess the crucial contributory aspects of adjustment-related issues and thus improve client-focused clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes an exploratory study aimed at elucidating social workers' understandings of the concepts of Adjustment to Health Condition and Adjustment to Hospitalisation as Indicators for Intervention. Thematic analysis was utilised on data from in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 18 experienced health care social workers. The findings demonstrated that adjustment was conceptualised as a complex, multi-dimensional process including the key inter-related themes of coping, emotion, subjective meaning, adaptation, support, family-focus, and process orientation. The findings can assist social workers in conceptualising their practice and articulating their role with clients and with other health professionals in relation to crucial adjustment issues identified in health care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]