THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN-NEEDS DURING PEACETIME, RETROSPECTIVE PEACETIME, AND THE PERSIAN-GULF-WAR

Study 1 investigated the importance of human needs during peacetime in 1993 using a sample of 137 full-time workers in several industries in the United States. Study 2 examined the importance of needs in 1990 ( retrospective peacetime) and in 1991 (during the Persian Gulf War)(bot h measured during the war) using a sample of 564 college students in t he United States. In both studies, two levels of needs (higher-order a nd lower-order needs) were identified during peacetime. Study 2 reveal ed that during the war all needs were rated as more important and only one factor was identified, During peacetime, the safety of one's own life was significantly more important than the safety of the country w hich was rated as the least important need. During the war the safety of the country was as important as the safety of one's own life. Stude nts who had spouse, family members, and friends in the Middle East dur ing Desert Storm differed significantly from those who did not in war- related stress and the importance of several needs.