Child development and adaptation: Relation between Jungian propositions and the concept of adaptive functioning

Abstract

Abstract Objective This paper proposes a theoretical review that aims to understand the notion of adaptation according to the psychodynamic approach of Analytical Psychology, associated with the psychological construct of adaptive functioning, the latter being measurable through "conceptual, social, and practical" domains. Method Integrative literature review. Results Adaptive functioning domains may be analytically interpreted in terms of personality development, self-agency, adaptation to external and internal conditions, conscious skills, and unconscious aspects inferred from the clinical context. Conclusion The proposed theoretical construction is expected to be useful for clinical psychology and for mixed methods research, integrating results of psychological testing instruments based on adaptive functioning domains.