Basic Psychological Needs Assessment of University Students in Bangladesh

Abstract

The mental health of university students is a worldwide concern whose effects include, among others, inability to study, poor memory, reduced focus, attention, and fatigue. Mental health difficulties are also regarded as the leading cause of despair, depression, anxiety, and suicide among university students. This research aimed to assess the basic psychological needs of undergraduate students from a selected university in Bangladesh. This was a cross-sectional quantitative study conducted among 174 students who were selected randomly. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The following dimensions were measures to assess the basic psychological needs: relatedness, competence, autonomy, positive emotion, and intrinsic learning motivation, and self-regulated learning. The overall psychological well-being of the students was found to be poor. Female students had significantly higher mean scores for competence and motivation (p < 0.05). Year of study and faculty were significantly associated with relatedness, competence, autonomy, positive emotion, and intrinsic learning motivation (p < 0.05). The current study emphasises the significance of perceived competence, autonomy, and self-regulated learning for the well-being of university students. The findings also suggest that relatedness may be relevant for intrinsic learning motivation.