Abstract
According to self-determination theory, individual well-being is universally dependent upon the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence and relatedness. This study set out to further elucidate the relationship between basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS) and well-being across age by (i) more closely examining the age distribution of BPNS, and (ii) investigating whether BPNS is comparably associated with well-being across all ages, as predicted by the universality assumption, while taking into account variability in other demographic factors. A general population sample of Dutch speaking adults from The Netherlands and Belgium (N = 1709; Mage = 48.6 years, SD = 19.0, range 18–97) filled out a cross-sectional online or paper-and-pencil survey questionnaire, providing self-reports of BPNS and well-being, using the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale and Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, respectively. Data analyses consisted of initial visual inspection using LOESS smoothed curve plotting, and subsequent model testing using multiple regression analyses. When correcting for other demographic factors, results showed a positive linear relationship between age and autonomy satisfaction, no significant relationship between age and competence satisfaction, and a slight positive cubic relationship between age and relatedness satisfaction (initial ‘peak’, followed by a slight decline and ‘dip’, and steady rise for later ages). All basic psychological needs factors were positively linked to well-being in all domains, with associations generally comparable between adults of different ages, thus lending support to the universality assumption of self-determination theory. Despite distinct age distributions, all three basic psychological needs seem important for maintaining a sense of well-being throughout life.
Highlights
IntroductionThe impact of parenthood on well-being, for instance, appears to depend on a tradeoff between increased negative emotions, economic and time constraints, and marital stress on the one hand, and increased meaning in life, basic need satisfaction, positive emotions, and enhanced social roles, on the other (Nelson et al, 2014)
What constitutes human well-being throughout the lifespan? The current study aims to address this question from the perspective of self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000, 2008; Ryan & Deci, 2000), which states that individual well-being is universally dependent upon the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence and relatedness
The human life course is characterized by inevitable changes and challenges in various domains (Baltes, 1987; Huber et al, 2011), and maintaining a sense of well-being by positively adapting to these is considered an important aspect of health and healthy aging (Beard et al, 2016; Fry & Keyes, 2010; Huber et al, 2011; Keyes, 2014)
Summary
The impact of parenthood on well-being, for instance, appears to depend on a tradeoff between increased negative emotions, economic and time constraints, and marital stress on the one hand, and increased meaning in life, basic need satisfaction, positive emotions, and enhanced social roles, on the other (Nelson et al, 2014). Such indirect effects of external circumstances on well-being have been suggested for low economic power, which may affect well-being through psychological challenges in the domains of individual autonomy and social integration (Di Domenico & Fournier, 2014). Experiencing sufficient time for balancing work and social roles only benefits well-being when psychological needs are met within that time (Gröpel & Kuhl, 2009)
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