Relationship of the Maslow Needs Hierarchy and Perception of Levels of Stress
Start Date
4-22-2020 10:00 AM
End Date
4-22-2020 8:00 PM
Major Field of Study
Psychology
Student Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor(s)
Ian S. Madfes, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
College life presents a number of new challenges, including increased academic assignments, diminished family contact, interpersonal issues, and (for many) financial problems. Stress is a normal response when dealing simultaneously with more than one important life requirement. Many students try to complete their degrees and on-the-job assignments in the same time and, aside of family responsibilities, this often creates added stress.
Stress results when any combination of cognitive, interpersonal, physiological, and emotional demands not being fully met. Maslow theory of the hierarchy of needs explains how individuals need to meet their basic needs before moving on to meet the needs at the next level. He stated that unmet basic needs also prohibit higher levels needs from being met. It is reasonable to conclude, therefore, that college students with unmet basic needs on Maslow’s pyramid will results in feeling a greater overall stress than those with unmet needs at higher levels, impacting their learning processes. It is hypothesized that for those who experience significantly unmet needs at lower levels of Maslow’s need’s hierarchy will report perception of higher overall levels of stress.
Various measures were completed by 34 women and 6 men. Data analysis found that higher levels of stress were significantly related to elevated Level 1 (Physiological/ Survival), Level 4 (Self-Esteem) and Level 5 (Self Actualization) needs, but not for elevated Level 2 (Safety) of Level 3 (Social Relationship) needs. The existential angst common to college students (“What is next for me?”) is suggested to explain the stress relationship to the higher level needs.
Relationship of the Maslow Needs Hierarchy and Perception of Levels of Stress
College life presents a number of new challenges, including increased academic assignments, diminished family contact, interpersonal issues, and (for many) financial problems. Stress is a normal response when dealing simultaneously with more than one important life requirement. Many students try to complete their degrees and on-the-job assignments in the same time and, aside of family responsibilities, this often creates added stress.
Stress results when any combination of cognitive, interpersonal, physiological, and emotional demands not being fully met. Maslow theory of the hierarchy of needs explains how individuals need to meet their basic needs before moving on to meet the needs at the next level. He stated that unmet basic needs also prohibit higher levels needs from being met. It is reasonable to conclude, therefore, that college students with unmet basic needs on Maslow’s pyramid will results in feeling a greater overall stress than those with unmet needs at higher levels, impacting their learning processes. It is hypothesized that for those who experience significantly unmet needs at lower levels of Maslow’s need’s hierarchy will report perception of higher overall levels of stress.
Various measures were completed by 34 women and 6 men. Data analysis found that higher levels of stress were significantly related to elevated Level 1 (Physiological/ Survival), Level 4 (Self-Esteem) and Level 5 (Self Actualization) needs, but not for elevated Level 2 (Safety) of Level 3 (Social Relationship) needs. The existential angst common to college students (“What is next for me?”) is suggested to explain the stress relationship to the higher level needs.