The experience of chronic illness in adulthood goes beyond the biological and medical dimensions, entering the existential, psychological, and spiritual realms. This presentation introduces the concept of maladicity as a state of discontinuity, fragility, and identity transformation linked to prolonged suffering. It explores the relationships between chronic illness and mental and spiritual well-being, drawing on theories of life meaning (Frankl, Wong), the concept of growth through suffering (Tedeschi & Calhoun), and selected models of critical and narrative pedagogy. Special attention is given to the narratives of adults living with long-term illness-examining their adaptive strategies, spiritual resources, and evolving understanding of self and the world. The presentation frames illness not only as a source of suffering but also as a potential space for development and rediscovery of meaning, highlighting the need for an interdisciplinary approach to support interventions.
The empirical material consists of preliminary results from qualitative research conducted among adults living with autoimmune and neurological diseases.
Book of Abstracts [Unofficial – Accepted Presentation, Abstract Submission Ongoing]
Suffering and Meaning: Maladicity and Chronic Illness in the Light of Adults’ Mental and Spiritual Well-being