This study explores the relationship of ego-stage development (based on the theories of Erik Erikson and roughly defined as psychological maturity) to experiences which a group of adults identified as leading to re-creation for them. The author believes that re-creation -- defined as a feeling of heightened well-being or a sense of renewal and refreshment -- is a basic human need and is usually a pleasant experience. Using data obtained from 73 women selected from women graduate students at the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1964, information regarding re-creative experiences was obtained from a self report diary sheet. Participants observed their own particular re-creative behavior on ten days. Measures of ego-stage development were obtained by means of a structured Q-sort based on Erikson's theory. Conclusions from the study include (1) re-creation is usually gained when individuals regress to a lower stage of ego development; (2) mature individuals, however, tend to gain re-creation from experiences when they are in a positive, enthusiastic, creative frame of mind; (3) a re-creative experience tends to be essentially a synthesizing and unifying one. Implications from the study show that different preconditions of the person determine what kinds of experiences will have a re-creative outcome, and that the ego-stage level determines re-creative needs. (se)