Abstract
Prior research proposed five basic needs: belonging, understanding, control, enhancing self, and trust (BUCET). Individually, each has been associated with physical and mental health. To date, basic psychosocial needs have been measured individually. These studies aim to validate a new, short and comprehensive measure of basic psychosocial needs, the Basic Needs Satisfaction Survey (BNSS), and demonstrate its association with physical and mental health. Study 1 confirmed previous EFA results for the BNSS and tested both convergent and predictive validity. Study 2 used CFA and examined divergent validity. Regression models investigated the role of the BNSS subscales as predictors of physical and mental health. Analyses from two studies demonstrated construct validity and predictive ability, providing evidence that the BNSS is reliable and valid and significantly related to both physical and mental health independent of socioeconomic status. Useful for predicting health outcomes, BNSS may be useful as a screener in medical settings.
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Appendix 2.1: Basic Needs Satisfaction Scale (BNSS)
Appendix 2.1: Basic Needs Satisfaction Scale (BNSS)
Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
Strongly disagree (1) | Disagree (2) | Neither agree nor disagree (3) | Agree (4) | Strongly agree (5) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. People care about me | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
2. I fit into at least one social group | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
3. I feel like I have influence on those who are important in my life | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
4. I can shape my world | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
5. Other people value my skills | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
6. In key areas in my life I can make choices that matter | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
7. I trust that I can safely make my way in the world | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
8. When necessary, I can find support that I need from others | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
9. I have goals for my life | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
10. I have opportunities in my life to improve my skills and talents | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
11. Even though I may feel down sometimes, I know that things will improve | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
12. I feel like I don’t belong anywhere | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
13. There is nothing I can do to change my life | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
14. In key areas in my life, I feel incapable | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
15. I feel boxed in with no freedom | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
16. The world is a mean place so I have to be careful | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
17. My life is meaningless | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
18. I feel beaten down | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
19. I am unhappy with my life | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ | ❍ |
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Noble, R., Kurth, A., Narvaez, D. (2018). Measuring Basic Needs Fulfillment and Its Relation to Health and Wellbeing. In: Narvaez, D. (eds) Basic Needs, Wellbeing and Morality. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97734-8_2
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