Self-transcendence: conceptualization and measurement.
Self-transcendence has been hypothesized to be a critical component of wisdom (Curnow, 1999) and adaptation in later life (Tornstam, 1994). It reflects a decreasing reliance on externals for definition of the self, increasing interiority and spirituality, and a greater sense of connectedness with past and future generations. The Adult Self-Transcendence Inventory was administered to 351 individuals along with the NEO-FFI Personality Scale (McCrae & Costa, 1989). A principal axis factor analysis identified two factors: self-transcendence and alienation. The relationships between self-transcendence and neuroticism, openness to experience, extraversion, and agreeableness were significant, although modest, suggesting that self-transcendence cannot be accounted for in terms of positive personality traits alone. As expected, a multiple regression analysis indicated that self-transcendence was negatively related to neuroticism and positively related to meditation practice. The present study appears to lend support to the construct of self-transcendence.
Levenson
Michael R
MR
University of California-Davis, USA. rick.levenson@oregonstate.edu
Jennings
Patricia A
PA
Aldwin
Carolyn M
CM
Shiraishi
Ray W
RW
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002140:California; D004532:Ego; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D029181:Spirituality