The relationship between self-actualization and leisure attitudes

128 Pages·2013·1.3 MB·English

by  Moore, James Edward

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