The relationship between self-actualization and parenting style

The present study investigated the relation between self-actualization and parenting style. Based on Abraham Maslow's (1954, 1970) theory of motivation and Diana Baumrind's (1971, 1973) research on parenting styles, it was predicted that high self-actualization scores would be positively associated with authoritative parenting and negatively associated with authoritarian parenting. To test the hypotheses, college students were administered the Short Index of Self-Actualization (Jones & Crandall, 1986) and the Parental Authority Questionnaire (Buri, 1991). Correlational analyses offered support for the hypotheses and suggest that an authoritative parenting style may facilitate self-actualization.