Düßler, Lenno (2024) Exploring the Interplay Between Student Identity, Basic Psychological Needs, and Well-Being in Higher Education: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
The present study aimed to conceptualize well-being from a student perspective based on their experiences and needs. We further analyzed the aspects that contribute to well-being in academia through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000). For this, we asked students to conceptualize the three basic psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness. The second part of this study aimed to analyze how different student identities relate to basic psychological needs and well-being. Our sample consisted of 12 psychology students at different stages of their bachelor’s to ensure diverse perspectives. We conducted semi-structured interviews and analyzed the transcripts using an open coding approach with multiple stages. Seven themes seemed to be important for well-being, which were incorporated into a suggested model. Regarding well-being in academia and basic psychological needs, participants highlighted the importance of connections to fellow students for relatedness, academic validation for competence, and the freedom of course selection for autonomy. Finally, we categorized students as having either an achievement or a moratorium identity. Generally, individuals with an achievement identity reported higher levels of motivation and the importance of relatedness and competence, whereas participants with a moratorium identity highlighted the importance of all three needs. In conclusion, it could be seen that achievement and moratorium identity individuals have the need for competence, but the ways in which they fulfill the need differ. Further research is needed to learn more about how students conceptualize well-being and to better understand the relationship between different identities and basic psychological needs.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Ballato, L. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Jul 2024 09:13 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Jul 2024 09:13 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4118 |
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