Self-Transcendence: Conceptualization and Measurement
Michael R. Levenson, Patricia A. Jennings, Carolyn M. Aldwin, Ray W. Shiraishi
The International Journal of Aging and Human Development March 1, 2005 DOI: 10.2190/xrxm-fyra-7u0x-grc0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 351 |
| Population | Adults |
| Intervention | Meditation practice |
| Keywords | Self-transcendence Agreeableness Neuroticism Personality Extraversion and introversion Developmental psychology |
| Citations | 451 |
| Key findings | Self-transcendence is negatively related to neuroticism and positively related to meditation practice, and its modest associations with positive personality traits suggest it is a distinct construct. |
Abstract
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.
Citations in the library
Cited by 53
- The Varieties of Self-Transcendent Experience Review of General Psychology May 1, 2017
- What is Wisdom? Cross-Cultural and Cross-Disciplinary Syntheses Review of General Psychology June 8, 2015
- Self-transcendent experience: a grounded theory study Qualitative Research September 29, 2014
- Self-transcendence and life stories of humanistic growth among late-midlife adults. Journal of Personality April 1, 2021
- The Experience of Self-Transcendence in Social Activists. Behavioral Sciences January 11, 2023
and 48 more in the library