Age, sex, and personality correlates of self-actualization in elderly adults. 1989

L Plouffe, and F Gravelle

The present study examined age, sex and personality correlates of self-actualization among older adults. The Personal Orientation Inventory and Personality Research Form were administered individually to 80 community men and women aged 56 yr.-84 yr. No main effect for sex was observed on inventory scores, but younger subjects (56 yr.-67 yr.) obtained higher scores than older subjects (68 yr.-84 yr.) on four subscales: Existentiality, Feeling Reactivity, Acceptance of Aggression and Capacity for Intimate Contact. Age was negatively correlated with Feeling Reactivity in both sexes; Inner-directedness decreased with age in men and Capacity for Intimate Contact diminished with age in women. For men, inventory scores were positively associated with the traits of Change and Endurance and negatively correlated with Abasement, Order and Succorance. For women, Impulsivity correlated positively and Order was associated negatively with scores on the inventory. These results suggest that the components of self-actualization are differentially influenced by age for men and women and that the traits accompanying self-actualization are sex-linked.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010551 Personality Behavior-response patterns that characterize the individual. Personalities
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006803 Human Development Continuous sequential changes which occur in the physiological and psychological functions during the life-time of an individual. Development, Human
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old
D000375 Aging The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time. Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
D012649 Self Concept Persons' view of themselves. Self Esteem,Self Perception,Self Confidence,Self-Perception,Concept, Self,Confidence, Self,Esteem, Self,Perception, Self,Perceptions, Self,Self Esteems,Self Perceptions,Self-Perceptions

Related Publications

L Plouffe, and F Gravelle
January 1969, Journal of clinical psychology,
L Plouffe, and F Gravelle
August 1974, Psychological reports,
L Plouffe, and F Gravelle
April 1969, Perceptual and motor skills,
L Plouffe, and F Gravelle
January 1978, American journal of psychotherapy,
L Plouffe, and F Gravelle
August 1971, Genetic psychology monographs,
L Plouffe, and F Gravelle
October 1976, Journal of clinical psychology,
L Plouffe, and F Gravelle
December 1976, Psychological reports,
L Plouffe, and F Gravelle
June 1978, Perceptual and motor skills,
L Plouffe, and F Gravelle
January 2019, Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research,
L Plouffe, and F Gravelle
August 1979, Journal of personality assessment,
Copied contents to your clipboard!