adjective
- not providing adequate or appropriate adjustment to the environment or situation
Usage: psychology; formal
Examples
- His maladaptive coping strategies made his anxiety worse.
- The therapy focused on replacing maladaptive behaviors with healthier ones.
- Perfectionism can become maladaptive when it prevents completion of tasks.
- The patient exhibited maladaptive responses to stress.
- Maladaptive thinking patterns often contribute to depression.
- The child’s maladaptive social skills led to isolation from peers.