Examining the Correlation Between Academic Achievement and Basic Psychological Needs: A Study on University Students

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between basic psychological needs and academic achievement in Healthcare Services Vocational High School students. Methods: The researchers conducted the descriptive correlational study with Healthcare Services Vocational High School students in a university. The target population of the study included the Healthcare Services Vocational High School students (n=174) and the sample included 139 students. The researchers collected the data via the Personal Information Form and the Basic Psychological Needs Scale. The researchers calculated the grade-point averages of the students via the end-of-term grade-point averages. Results: Mean age of the students was 19.91±2.20 years. Of the students, 65.5% were female, 51.1% were freshman students and 75.5% received education in the Elderly Care Program. The mean Basic Psychological Needs Scale Autonomy subscale score was 26.06±4.33, the mean Competence subscale score was 19.06±3.59 and the mean Relatedness subscale score was 28.51±4.90. The researchers found statistically significant correlations between the relatedness subscale scores and grade-point averages of the students in a positive direction. Conclusion: Findings of the present study demonstrated that the basic psychological needs of the students were met. As the relatedness scores of the students increased, their grade-point averages increased. Keywords: students, psychologic tests, academic achievement