Knowing how to live a long, happy and healthy life is a universal desire of humankind. Adaptation and Well-Being is a narrative of the human journey, from the formation of identity to end of life, which explores a number of key issues related to well-being and the challenges we face. Combining positive psychology and a social psychological evolutionary perspective with colourful, anecdotal evidence from his full and varied experiences, the author interprets research from various stages of human development in order to meet the challenges of life and achieve optimal health and well-being.

Knud S Larsen is Professor Emeritus at Oregon State University and academician of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Arts. He taught widely at universities across the world and is the recipient of senior Fulbright awards in both Vietnam and Bulgaria. The author received the St. Kliment Blue Ribbon Medal for contributions to social science at Sofia. On Research Gate the author is ranked higher than 90 percent of scholars listed.

Introduction, Chapter 1 Identity and Meaning: Moving Toward a Healthy Self-Concept, Chapter 2 Developing Emotional Maturity and Emotional Intelligence, Chapter 3 Communication: The Key to Effective Living, Chapter 4 Human Sexuality, Chapter 5 Gender and Human Happiness, Chapter 6 Friends, Lovers and Marriage: Is Lasting Love Possible?, Chapter 7 Stress and Illness: Maladaptation or Coping Rationally with Adversity, Chapter 8 Rational or Irrational Appraisal of the Situation: Stress and Post-Traumatic Disorder, Chapter 9 The Search for Meaning and Living Life to the Fullest, Chapter 10 Finding the Balance: Meeting the Challenges of Midlife, Chapter 11 Death and Dying: Denial and Acceptance, Chapter 12 Living a Long and Healthy Life: Socio-Economic Status and Positive Human Psychology