Abstract
The relationship between self-actualization and retrospective perceptions of parental child-rearing attitudes and behaviors was investigated. 20 high and 20 low self-actualizing college-aged females, pre-selected on the basis of their scores on Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory, were compared on Schaefer's Children's Reports of Parental Behavior Inventory. As predicted, high self-actualizing subjects scored significantly higher than low self-actualizing subjects on the majority of the paternal and maternal scales on the inventory, reflecting perceived parental attitudes of acceptance, psychological autonomy, and lax control. Likewise, as predicted, high self-actualizing subjects scored significantly lower than low self-actualizing subjects on the majority of the paternal and maternal scales of the inventory, reflecting perceived parental attitudes of rejection, psychological control, and firm control.
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