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Do Psychological Needs Play a Role in Times of Uncertainty? Associations with Well-Being During the COVID-19 Crisis

Author

Listed:
  • Branko Vermote

    (Ghent University)

  • Joachim Waterschoot

    (Ghent University)

  • Sofie Morbée

    (Ghent University)

  • Jolene Van der Kaap-Deeder

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Charlotte Schrooyen

    (Ghent University)

  • Bart Soenens

    (Ghent University)

  • Richard Ryan

    (Australian Catholic University)

  • Maarten Vansteenkiste

    (Ghent University)

Abstract

Across the world, measures were taken to contain the spreading of the COVID-19 virus. Many of these measures caused a sudden rupture in people’s daily routines, thereby eliciting considerable uncertainty and potentially also hampering the satisfaction of individuals’ psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. Drawing upon Maslow’s Hierarchical Need Theory and Self-Determination Theory, this study examined the unique role of felt insecurity and the psychological needs, as well as their dynamic interplay, in the prediction of mental health. A large and heterogeneous sample of adults (N = 5118; Mage = 43.45 years) was collected during the first ten days of the lockdown period in Flanders, Belgium. A subsample (N = 835, Mage = 41.39) participated during a second wave one week later. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that felt insecurity, need satisfaction and need frustration all independently predicted various positive (life satisfaction, sleep quality) and negative indicators depressive symptoms, anxiety) of mental health, with little systematic evidence for interactions between the predictors. The pattern of findings obtained concurrently largely held in the longitudinal analyses. Finally, results showed that associations between felt insecurity and lower concurrent and prospective mental health were partially mediated by need satisfaction and frustration, with especially psychological need frustration predicting changes in mental health over time. Overall, the findings suggest that satisfaction of the psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness is not just a ‘luxury good’. Satisfaction of these needs is important also in times of insecurity, while need frustration represents a risk factor for maladjustment during such times.

Suggested Citation

  • Branko Vermote & Joachim Waterschoot & Sofie Morbée & Jolene Van der Kaap-Deeder & Charlotte Schrooyen & Bart Soenens & Richard Ryan & Maarten Vansteenkiste, 2022. "Do Psychological Needs Play a Role in Times of Uncertainty? Associations with Well-Being During the COVID-19 Crisis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 257-283, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:23:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10902-021-00398-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-021-00398-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thiemo Fetzer & Lukas Hensel & Johannes Hermle & Christopher Roth, 2021. "Coronavirus Perceptions and Economic Anxiety," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 103(5), pages 968–978-9, December.
    2. Paul T E Cusack, 2020. "Anxiety Disorders," Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Biomedical Research Network+, LLC, vol. 31(3), pages 24255-24260, October.
    3. Beiwen Chen & Jasper Assche & Maarten Vansteenkiste & Bart Soenens & Wim Beyers, 2015. "Does Psychological Need Satisfaction Matter When Environmental or Financial Safety are at Risk?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 745-766, June.
    4. Frank Martela & Richard M. Ryan & Michael F. Steger, 2018. "Meaningfulness as Satisfaction of Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness, and Beneficence: Comparing the Four Satisfactions and Positive Affect as Predictors of Meaning in Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1261-1282, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Schippers, M.C. & Ioannidis, J.P.A. & Joffe, A.R., 2022. "Aggressive Measures, Rising Inequalities and Mass Formation During the COVID-19 Crisis: An Overview and Proposed Way Forward," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2022-004-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    2. Daphne Bogaard & Bart Soenens & Katrijn Brenning & Nele Flamant & Maarten Vansteenkiste, 2024. "Can Students Learn to Optimize Their Need-Based Experiences and Mental Health During a Stressful Period? Testing a Need-Crafting Intervention in Higher Education," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 1-31, June.
    3. Kailin Cheng & Jiangqun Liao, 2023. "Coping with Coronavirus Pandemic: Risk Perception Predicts Life Optimism," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 351-371, January.
    4. Simone P. Nguyen & Cameron L. Gordon, 2022. "Gratitude for Categories of Needs Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2881-2901, August.
    5. Marieke Fonteyn & Tom Loeys, 2022. "When You Can’t Play Sports: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Motivational and Emotional Experiences in Coach-Athlete Dyads," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, October.
    6. Eugene Lee Davids, 2022. "The Interaction between Basic Psychological Needs, Decision-Making and Life Goals among Emerging Adults in South Africa," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, July.

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