Adjustment disorder (AD) is a common diagnosis, but there are relatively few studies, in part because the current definition is still poorly specified, inadequate and controversial. Some clinicians and researchers have pointed out that a psychiatric diagnosis should present a clinical description, as well as date based on psychological, biological and/or sociofamiliar studies, and follow-up investigation about outcome and prognosis, to increase the reliability and validity diagnosis and permits exclusion of other possible disorders and normality. There is much empirical evidence to indicate that AD is a transient disorder with a tendency to spontaneous remission. However, some studies have shown that patients with AD often develop major psychiatric disorders, presenting a higher rate of psychiatric morbidity, e.g., higher suicide rates.

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as some possible personal vulnerability factors in patients with AD.

This longitudinal study was carried out on 80 outpatients diagnoses with AD at a Mental Health Unit, who were followed up for 3 years. It was analyzed different clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.

Significant differences between groups were found in some of the variables considered.

The results add empirical evidence to a controversial and little-researched diagnostic category and provide guidelines for assessment and intervention. They also may contribute to improve diagnostic classifications.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.