User Contributed Dictionary
Adjective
psychosocial- In the context of "of behaviour": having both psychological and social aspects
Extensive Definition
The term psychosocial refers to one's psychological development
in and interaction with a social
environment. The individual is not necessarily fully aware of
this relationship with his or her environment. It was first
commonly used by psychologist Erik Erikson
in his
stages of social development. Contrasted with social
psychology, which attempts to explain social patterns of
behavior in a general sense, the term "psychosocial" can be used to
describe the unique internal processes that occur within the
individual. It is usually used in the context of "psychosocial
intervention," which is commonly used alongside psychoeducational
or psychopharmacological
interventions.
Problems that occur in one's psychosocial
functioning can be referred to as "psychosocial dysfunction" or
"psychosocial morbidity." This refers to the lack of development or
atrophy of the psychosocial self, often occurring alongside other
dysfunctions that may be physical, emotional, or cognitive in
nature.
Psychosocial support is an approach to victims of
disaster, catastrophe or violence to
foster resilience of
communities and individuals. It aims at easing resumption of normal
life, facilitate affected people participation to their
convalescence and preventing pathological consequences of
potentially traumatic situations.
Psychosocial Network is a
network of practitioners of psychosocial work and serves the
information sharing need of diverse people in the psychosocial
field - ranging from grassroots practitioners to UN
policy-makers.
See also
psychosocial in French:
Psychosocial