Self-actualization level and adaptation potential as personality coping resources at the stage of self-realization

Abstract

The article raises a problem of strengthening personal resources when facing difficult life situations at the stage of self-realization. The latter refers to the period of personality development from the age of 20 to 55. At this stage, the adaptation potential, the level of self-actualization; and proactive coping behavior are highlighted as personality resources. Proactive coping behavior is considered to be an important factor in the personality's self-efficacy, while the other two constructs are its predictors. Proactive coping is revealed as a set of strategies that launches preparatory work to prevent stress exposure, the purposeful development of which is an independent copying resource. Presumably, at the stage of self-realization, a person seeks self-actualization, the maximum manifestation of his abilities, based on existing experience in opposing adverse environmental influences. The study involved 155 people aged from 21 to 55. The main method of data collection is psychological testing, implemented via the following methodological complex: Self-actualization test (E. Shostrom, adapted by Yu.E. Aleshina, L.Ya. Gozman, M.V. Zagika, M.V. Kroz); Losses and acquisitions of personal resources (N. Vodopyanova, M. Stein); Proactive coping behavior (L. Aspinwall, R. Schwarzer and S. Taubert, adapted by E. Starchenkova). Statistical data processing method is the regression analysis. The results of the regression analysis proved the influence of self-actualization and adaptive potential on the proactive coping behavior of an individual at the stage of self-realization. The choice of each strategy is determined by predictors (from 2 to 6). The greatest contribution belongs to the indicators of self-actualization scales (9 out of 14). Value orientations, spontaneity, synergy, cognitive needs and creativity stayed outside the influence on proactive coping. The connections between the proactive coping strategies and the components of self-actualization are contradictory and ambiguous (most of them - 14 out of 22 - have the opposite character). The explanation is largely determined by the traits of the collectivist culture, the values of which are shared by adult members of the society. Adaptation potential was revealed to have a connection only in relation to the strategy of preventive coping. Self-esteem, sociability and the ability to find the optimal balance in the system of "internal-external support" should be attributed to the key predictors of proactive coping at the stage of self-realization.