Explain how maslow's hierarchy of needs can help understand psychological distress
Explain how maslow's hierarchy of needs can help understand psychological distress
Abraham Maslow was a humanistic psychologist who emphasized on the fact that human beings have certain needs and these needs should be fulfilled for an individual to reach their highest potential. It is called the hierarchy of needs because it starts with the most basic need and an individual passes through every stage, it helps them climb the ladder and work towards eventually being self-actualized individuals. The five needs of Maslow's hierarchy theory are as the following:
Basic needs include simple needs like food, water and oxygen which are essential to survival. If these needs are not met, an individual could possibly die. Once basic needs are met, an individual looks out for safety needs.
Safety needs refers to needs which make an individual feel secure. For instance, financial security is an incredibly important need, feeling safe and secure where one lives which include freedom to move around the city without being scared for their lives. The current situation in Afghanistan is threatening the safety needs of people who live there. Once an individual feels secure, they move onto community or belonging needs.
Belonging needs refers to the want to feel belonged. The human race cannot survive alone and we have an innate need to feel belonged. This need is particularly met by our family, friends, community or even a romantic partner. This is a need which eventually builds up to be our support system in life.
Esteem needs refers to how people view themselves based on other people's opinions. This is one of the major reasons why we feel the need to be liked by other people. This need is important as it can hinder us being self-actualized. The need to be accepted by others is esteem needs. We often look for validation from people around us as this helps us boost our self-confidence.
Self-actualization is the highest need on the hierarchy which refers to us reaching our fullest potential. This refers to walking on a journey where you have achieved all the needs and walking on a self-discovery and exploration path where one is content with where they are and how far they have come in life.
It is important to have our needs fulfilled as if they are not met, it can lead to psychological distress. When safety needs are not met, for instance when someone is living in a country where they don't feel safe, like in Afghanistan which has been taken over by Taliban, this may result in post-traumatic stress disorder. An individual feels their basic existence being threatened. When an individual does not feel loved or their need for belongingness does not get fulfilled they may develop depression or anxiety. It is important to have a support system which consists of friends and family to feel loved and belonged. Self-actualization needs if not met can result in symptoms of depression as one may never discover the purpose of their lives.
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