Which needs encompass the requirements for safety and security?

The concept of security needs is a crucial aspect of human development and well-being, particularly in the context of child life. Security needs pertain specifically to an individual's desire for safety, stability, and freedom from fear. In the hierarchy of needs, these requirements encompass not only physical safety but also emotional and psychological security.

When children are in a hospital or healthcare setting, for instance, their sense of security is essential for their overall well-being. Understanding and addressing these needs helps create a supportive environment where children can feel safe, which is vital for their cooperation with medical treatments and procedures. By fostering security, child life specialists can help alleviate anxiety and fear, allowing children to focus on healing.

In contrast, self-actualizing needs involve the realization of personal potential and self-fulfillment, which come into play only after basic needs like security and safety are met. Physiological needs refer to the fundamental requirements for survival, such as food, water, and shelter, while social needs pertain to the need for belonging and emotional connection with others. Although all of these needs are valid and important, only security needs directly address the fundamental requirements for safety and security.