Balanced need satisfaction and satisfaction with life

Kramar, Kristina. (2012). Balanced need satisfaction and satisfaction with life. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Butković, Ana].

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Abstract

According to Ryan and Deci's self-determination theory, satisfaction of three basic psychological needs, for autonomy, competence and relatedness is essential for the experience of subjective well-being and its cognitive component, life satisfaction. In the present study we have examined this hypothesis. There were 616 relatively heterogeneous participants equally distributed by gender and age in three age groups (high school students, university students and adults aged from 34 to 47 years). Participants filled in the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and the Basic Psychological Needs Scale. Also, we used a measure of balanced need satisfaction obtained by summing up the absolute differences between individual needs. The results confirmed the postulate of self-determination theory – satisfaction of basic psychological needs and satisfaction with life were positively correlated. The results showed a positive correlation between balanced need satisfaction and life satisfaction. There was no significant correlation between age and gender and life satisfaction. The results of regression analysis also showed that these variables have not significantly explained the variance of life satisfaction. Basic psychological needs have explained a big part of life satisfaction variance beyond demographic variables. Balanced need satisfaction did not have independent contribution to the prediction of life satisfaction. Results of this study contribute to development and application of self-determination theory and to better understanding of life satisfaction concept and conditions that allow us to achieve well-being.

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