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Adaptation and Validation of the French Psychological Need Frustration Scale for Older Adults

Ageing International volume 45, pages 99–117 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

This study aimed to demonstrate a significant distinction between basic psychological need frustration (BPNF) and satisfaction (BPNS) in older people. To that end, two studies were conducted. Study 1a tested the score validity and reliability of the French psychological need frustration scale for older adults (PNFS-OA) to measure BPNF for autonomy, competence and relatedness. This study involved 476 older French adults (234 women and 242 men; Mage = 75.99 years, SD = 11.7, age range = 60–98 years) and the results support the factorial validity and reliability of the PNFS-OA scores. Study 1b then examined the relationships between BPNF and a range of selected outcomes (i.e., personal growth, purpose in life, vitality, self-esteem, positive and negative affective states and depressive symptoms) controlling for BPNS. This second study involved 154 older French adults living at home (86 women and 68 men; Mage = 73.36, SD = 7.07, age range: 65–95 years). Results showed that BPNF not only made a significant contribution to the prediction of depressive symptoms (indicator of ill-being) over and above BPNS but also contributed significantly to the prediction of some indicators of well-being over and above BPNS (i.e., purpose in life and self-esteem). These results question the role of the participants’ socio-contextual environment, which would not only be a supportive but also a controlling environment for the BPN. As a whole, BPNS and BPNF provide an interesting bridge connecting both positive and pathological aspects of ageing.

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Fig. 1

Notes

  1. Given that results of the 3-factor 12-item correlated model were almost identical to those of the hierarchical model, the results of both models are not presented. For interested, CFA results of the 3-factor 12-item correlated model are available from the first author on request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Team of Psychology of Ages of Life (EA 2114), University François Rabelais, Tours, France

    Charlotte Vanhove-Meriaux & Claude Ferrand

  2. EA psychologie des âges de la vie, Université F. Rabelais, site des Tanneurs, Tours, 37041, Tours Cedex 1, France

    Charlotte Vanhove-Meriaux

  3. Laboratory on Vulnerabilities and Innovation in Sport (EA 7428), University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France

    Guillaume Martinent

Authors
  1. Charlotte Vanhove-Meriaux
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  2. Guillaume Martinent
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  3. Claude Ferrand
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Correspondence to Charlotte Vanhove-Meriaux.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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The study was approved by the institutional review board of the University of Tours (CERNI-TP, 2015-02-03). All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the current ethical amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Vanhove-Meriaux, C., Martinent, G. & Ferrand, C. Adaptation and Validation of the French Psychological Need Frustration Scale for Older Adults. Ageing Int 45, 99–117 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-019-09346-w

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Keywords

  • Self-determination theory
  • Need frustration
  • Need satisfaction
  • Older people