Assessing and Enhancing Psychosocial Functioning

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Abstract

Positive social experiences are essential to patient health and wellbeing. The primary care provider’s office is an important social environment for an adolescent with special healthcare needs as physicians serve as both social agents as well as medical providers for these young people. Attaining the age of majority accelerates the transition to adult healthcare, and occurs at a time when social interactions are of paramount importance and among these patients’ most salient preoccupations. In light of evidence suggesting that young people with chronic conditions are at-risk for problems in social competence and performance related to their illness, the adult Primary Care Provider (PCP) has a unique opportunity to detect and address problems in social functioning. Through strategic communication and appropriate use of external resources, the PCP can promote healthy social engagement and positive social behaviors. The following chapter will (1) review the most relevant aspects of social development during the young adult period; (2) discuss ways to identify barriers to optimal social functioning; and (3) provide strategies for the PCP to facilitate this aspect of patient care.

Keywords

Psychosocial functioning Social development Psychosocial systems review Education and employment Peer-related activities Drugs Sexuality Suicide/depression Safety from injury and violence Social media Questionnaires Motivational interviewing (MI) 
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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of General Internal MedicineHofstra Northwell School of MedicineGreat NeckUSA
  2. 2.Clinical Psychology Health Emphasis Program, Ferkauf Graduate School of PsychologyYeshiva UniversityBronxUSA

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