Level of Self-Actualization among Process and Reactive Schizophrenics, Alcoholics, and Normals: A Construct Validity Study of the Personal Orientation Inventory

Abstract

To extend its validity, the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) was administered to hospitalized patients including 24 classified as Process Schizophrenics, 24 as Reactive Schizophrenics, 22 as Alcoholics, and 24 as Normals (medical patients). Considerable support was found for the predicted order from most to least self-actualized of Normal, Alcoholic, Reactive Schizophrenic, and Process Schizophrenic. Significantly consistent patterns and frequently significant differences on individual measures were found when Normals and Alcoholics were compared with Process and Reactive Schizophrenics. A significantly consistent pattern of higher scores for Reactives than for Process Schizophrenics was found but only one significant difference in subscales occurred. Smaller differences were found among the Schizophrenics than between them and the nonpsychotic groups. No significant differences were found between the Alcoholic and Normal groups. Findings were interpreted as generally supporting the construct validity of the POI.