THE RELATIONSHIP OF SELF-ACTUALIZATION TO SOCIAL SUPPORT, LIFE STRESS, AND ADJUSTMENT

The previously unexplored relationship of self-actualization to life stress and perceived social support from family and from friends was investigated. Measures of all variables were administered to 54 female and 52 male adult undergraduate students (age range of 18–81 years). The relationship of each variable to psychological adjustment (depression) also was assessed. As predicted, correlational results revealed self-actualization to be related positively to perceived social support and inversely to depression and life stress. Social support was inversely related to depression, and life stress was related positively to depression. Significant sex differences discovered in the relationship of self-actualization to perceived social support are discussed in terms of possible sex differences in the developmental process of self-actualization.