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Parental Support for Basic Psychological Needs and Happiness: The Importance of Sense of Uniqueness

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Abstract

Past empirical research relying on self-determination theory (SDT) has consistently shown that parental support of basic psychological needs (BPN) is associated with adolescent happiness. Yet, the specific mechanisms accounting for this link are still undetermined. The present study aimed to address this gap in the literature by testing a theoretical model proposing that adolescents’ satisfaction of BPN in life and sense of uniqueness mediate the association of parental support for BPN and happiness. The analyses relied on structural equation modeling and bootstrapping procedures and found support for the model. The theoretical implications of the model for SDT and applied considerations to improve the well-being of adolescents are discussed. Also, suggestions for future research that could further improve our understanding of the dynamic interplay between BPN, sense of uniqueness and happiness are presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Izmir University of Economics, Sakarya Cad. No: 156, 35330, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey

    Ömer Faruk Şimşek

  2. Department of Psychology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011-5106, USA

    Melikşah Demir

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  1. Ömer Faruk Şimşek
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  2. Melikşah Demir
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Şimşek, Ö.F., Demir, M. Parental Support for Basic Psychological Needs and Happiness: The Importance of Sense of Uniqueness. Soc Indic Res 112, 661–678 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-012-0075-z

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