Quality of life theory III. Maslow revisited.
In 1962, Abraham Maslow published his book Towards a Psychology of Being, and established a theory of quality of life, which still is considered a consistent theory of quality of life. Maslow based his theory for development towards happiness and true being on the concept of human needs. He described his approach as an existentialistic psychology of self-actualization, based on personal growth. When we take more responsibility for our own life, we take more of the good qualities that we have into use, and we become more free, powerful, happy, and healthy. It seems that Maslow's concept of self-actualization can play an important role in modern medicine. As most chronic diseases often do not disappear in spite of the best biomedical treatments, it might be that the real change our patients have for betterment is understanding and living the noble path of personal development. The hidden potential for improving life really lies in helping the patient to acknowledge that his or her lust for life, his or her needs, and his or her wish to contribute, is really deep down in human existence one and the same. But you will only find this hidden meaning of life if you scrutinize your own life and existence closely enough, to come to know your innermost self.
The Quality of Life Research Center, Copenhagen K, Denmark. ventegodt@livskvalitet.org
Søren
S
Ventegodt
Joav
J
Merrick
Niels Jørgen
NJ
Andersen
D001524:Behavioral Medicine; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011788:Quality of Life