The Psychosocial Challenges of Children with Limb Differences: an Adlerian Perspective

Parents of children born with a limb difference experience sadness, fear, anxiety, and many questions about how to help their children overcome the difficulties associated with their children‘s disability. These parents earnestly want their children to have healthy self-concepts, meaningful relationships, and productive lives. From an Adlerian perspective, this thesis explores factors associated with personality development (lifestyle) and social adjustment in children with limb differences. Five case examples of adults with congenital limb differences are presented. Recommendations are offered about how to encourage parents and their children to meet the psychosocial challenges associated with limb differences. These include Adlerian concepts such as courage and social interest.