Value Change and Cognitive Dissonance: A Conceptual Model for Psychosocial Adaptation to Disability and Chronic Illness.

Background: Value change is critical for individuals' psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness and disability. Although current value change theories facilitate our understanding of this process, limited interventions have been developed based on these theoretical frameworks. Objective: The purpose of the study is to examine the issues with current value change theories and propose a value change application model. Methods: A literature review approach was conducted in order to develop a value change application model by merging perspectives from rehabilitation psychology, cognitive dissonance theory, and schema theory. Findings: The Disability Inconsistency Model is proposed in the present study. Conclusion: The Disability Inconsistency Model views value from a dynamic perspective and identifies the catalyst to facilitate the psychosocial adaptation process. It also provides implications for the development of relevant interventions.