Yaşam Becerileri Psikoloji Dergisi (Dec 2024)
Basic Psychological Needs as a Determinant of Life Satisfaction of University Students
Abstract
The university years represent a pivotal period in an individual's life, during which students may encounter considerable challenges in their academic and personal development. Such difficulties may also impact students' overall life satisfaction. Conversely, numerous factors influence an individual's life satisfaction. The basic psychological needs theory, which offers a robust framework for understanding the fundamental elements that determine an individual's life satisfaction, posits that meeting the needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness significantly impacts an individual's mental health and general life satisfaction. In this context, this study was conducted to ascertain the life satisfaction levels of university students and to examine the effect of the level of satisfaction with basic psychological needs on life satisfaction. 434 university students, 245 (56.5%) female and 189 (43.5%) male, participated in the study in which the survey model was used. The average age of the students was x̄=20,75±1,47. Data were collected using personal information form, Basic Psychological Needs Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale. In addition to descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were applied. Descriptive findings show that students have moderate level of life satisfaction and their relatedness needs are met the most. In the correlation analysis, it was found that there was a significant positive relationship between life satisfaction and autonomy, competence and relatedness needs. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that autonomy, competence and relatedness needs predicted life satisfaction at a significant positive level. From the findings, it was concluded that as the level of satisfaction of students' autonomy, competence and relatedness needs increases, their life satisfaction increases. The findings of the study highlight the necessity for psychological support and social adaptation programmes for university students to prioritise the fulfilment of basic needs.
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