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The relationship between self-actualization and leisure attitudes PDF

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AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF JAMES EDWARD MOORE III for the degree Doctor of Philosophy (Name) (Degree) in EDUCATION presented on July 12, 1974 (Major Department) (Date) Title: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-ACTUALIZATION AND LEISURE A TTITTM7c Redacted for privacy Abstract approved: Dr. Carvel W. Wood The purpose of this study was an investigation of the relation- ship between self-actualization and leisure attitudes. Writers specializing in the study of leisure, and recreation professionals have long assumed that a relationship exists between participation in leisure and recreation activities and positive mental health. However, conclusive empirical evidence for this relationship has not been forthcoming. In view of the lack of such research, it was felt that clarification of the assumed relationship might be useful to leisure theorists, educators, and recreators as they attempt to solve leisure- related group and individual problems. The theoretical basis for the present study was obtained from the works of humanistic psychologists, primarily Maslow, and the classically-oriented leisure theorists and_xecreation professionals, The work of Gray and Greben (1973) in reinterpreting in contemporary terms the classical conception of leisure was particularly useful, Gray and Greben (1973) have couched the classical view, which maintains that leisure is a state of mind, in terms of Maslow's theory of self-actualization. It was suggested that Maslow's concepts of self-actualization, peak experience, and hierarchy of human needs were directly related to leisure and recreation experiences. Gray and Greben further suggested that viewing leisure and recreation in this manner allowed the recreation professional to address himself to the solution of contemporary social problems by using leisure and recreation for the enhancement of individual mental health. Data were obtained by administering Neu linger's (1969) A Study of Leisure, which measures five independent leisure attitude dimen- sions, and Shostrom's (1966) Personal Orientation Inventory (POI), which measures 12 scales related to self-actualization. The leisure attitude dimensions selected for use in the study were "affinity for leisure, " "self-definition through leisure or work," "amount of perceived leisure," and "amount of work or vacation desired. " The POI scales selected for use in the study included Time Competence, Inner-Directed, Self-Actualizing Value, Existentiality, Spontaneity, Self-Regard, and Capacity for Intimate Contact. The sample con- sisted of 106 male and ferrate freshman students at Oregon State University. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was utilized to test the hypotheses under study. Product-moment correlation coefficients were also computed to further clarify the nature of the relationships studied. t-Values and correlations were accepted as significant when .05. p The following conclusions were formulated based upon the find- ings of this study: Among the POI scales which were significantly related to the 1. leisure attitude dimensions, significant findings were consis- tently obtained for Self-Regard. These relationships were all negative. Therefore, the self-regard of the subjects was inversely related to their attitudes toward leisure. 2. Males had greater "affinity for leisure" and "amount of work or vacation desired" than females, while females tended to be more self-actualized than males. Thus, sex-role considerations are basic to an understanding of leisure and mental health. Correlations between the POI scales and the leisure attitude 3. dimensions were predominantly negative. Therefore, self- actualization is, in general, inversely related to leisure attitudes. 4. "Amount of work or vacation desired, " unlike the other attitude dimensions, is positively related to self-actualization. Accord- ingly, this leisure attitude is more congruent with our work- oriented cultural values. 5. Males in this study, unlike females, gave credence to the general hypothesis that self-actualization is positively related to leisure attitudes. 6. It is generally concluded that relationships between self- actualization and leisure attitudes exist. Self-Regard, Existentialit, and Capacity for Intimate Contact are strongly related to leisure attitudes. Self-Actualizing Value, Inner- Directed, and Time Competence are less strongly related. The Relationship between Self-Actualization and Leisure Attitudes by James Edward Moore III A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Completed June 1974 Commencement June 1975 APPROVED: Redacted for privacy Professor of Education in charge of major Redacted for privacy Dean of Scho education Redacted for privacy Dean of Graduate School Date thesis is presented July 12, 1974 Typed by Mary Jo Stratton for James Edward Moore III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my gratitude to my doctoral committee members for their friendship and constant support. Dr. Carvel Wood, my major professor, provided unusually sensitive support and counsel. Dr. Royal Jackson introduced me to the field of Recreation and his insights have greatly affected my thinking. Dr. Mike Freed and Dr. Ron Clarke have helped me develop the ecological awareness which is central to my life philosophy. Dr. Harold Enlows has been a most friendly graduate school representative. Deep gratitude is also expressed to Dr. Edward Heath for his wise, guidance and general support. A special thanks is extended to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Dr. Gary Tiedeman for helping me to think more clearly and to enjoy the role of student. The friendship and assistance of Larry Klar, Frank Guadagnolo and Rich Meganck are more greatly appreciated than they know. Our efforts both in discussing abstract concepts and on the racquet ball court have been indispensible to the completion of this study. I thank my father, mother, brother, and sister for just being themselves. I owe everything to my wife, Sherry, who is devoted to the evolution of our relationship. She is a constant reminder that heart is more important than mind. My son, Peter, has brought us unbounded joy, and is living proof that leisure is a state of mind. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. INTRODUCTION Purpose of the Study 6 Research Hypotheses 6 Importance of the Study 7 Limitations of the Study 9 Definition of Terms 10 Self-Actualization 10 Attitude 11 Leisure and Recreation 11 IL REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 13 Theoretical Evidence for the Relationship of Mental Health and Leisure 13 Self-Actualization Theory 17 Leisure as State of Mind 21 Self-Actualization and Leisure 25 Studies Related to Mental Health and Leisure 29 Studies of Leisure Attitudes 35 III. METHODOLOGY AND PROCEDURES 39 Locale of the Study 39 Subjects 39 Administration of Test Instruments 40 Test Instruments 40 A Study of Leisure 40 Personal Orientation Inventory 43 Validity 45 Reliability 46 Dissimulation or Faking 47 Statistical Treatment of the Data 48 Multiple Regress ion Analysis 49 IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 51 Presentation of Results 51 Additional Findings 66 Discus sion of Results 73 Affinity for Leisure 73 Page Self-Definition through Leisure or Work 77 Amount of Perceived Leisure 80 Amount of Work or Vacation Desired 82 Discussion of Additional Findings 84 Mean Scores for Leisure Attitude Dimensions 84 Mean Scores for POI Scales 85 Need -Press Variable s 86 Item Eighty of the POI 86 Summary 88 V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 90 Summary 90 Conclus ions 92 Recommendations 93 BIBLIOGRAPHY 96 APPENDICES Appendix A. A Study of Leisure 103 Appendix B. General Instructions 110 Appendix C. Complete Summary Tables 112 LIST OF TABLES Table Page Entire Sample: Regression Analysis for 1 "Affinity for Leisure. " 53 2 Entire Sample: Correlations of "Affinity for Leisure" Scores with POI Scales, 53 Males: Regression Analysis for "Affinity 3 for Leisure. " 55 4 Males: Correlations of "Affinity for Leisure" with POI Scales. 55 Females: Regression Analysis for "Affinity 5 for Leisure. " 57 Females: Correlations of "Affinity for 6 Leisure" with POI Scales. 57 Entire Sample; Regression Analysis for 7 "Self-Definition through Leisure or Work. " 57 Entire Sample: Correlations of "Self- 8 Definition through Leisure or Work" with POI Scales. 59 Males: Regression Analysis for "Self- 9 Definition through Leisure or Work. " 59 Males: Correlations of "Self-Definition 10 through Leisure or Work" with Pm Scales, 59 Females: Correlations of "Self-Definition 11 through Leisure or Work" with POT Scales. 61 12 Entire Sample: Regression Analysis for "Amount of Perceived Leisure. " 61 13 Entire Sample: Correlations of "Amount of Perceived Leisure" with POI Scales. 61

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Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Dr. Gary Tiedeman for helping me to think more clearly and to enjoy .. through leisure or work' :'amount of leisure perceived',' aneamount of work versus vaca- tion desired." .. derived his conception of the Greek meaning of leisure primarily from the works of Aristotle an
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