Exploring Value Awareness, Self-Determination, and Subjective Well-Being in University Students: a Cross-Sectional Study

Walinga, Annemarije (2025) Exploring Value Awareness, Self-Determination, and Subjective Well-Being in University Students: a Cross-Sectional Study. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Due to the increasing prevalence of mental health problems in students, it is important to explore their well-being and underlying factors. This cross-sectional study (N = 274) explores value awareness, subjective well-being, and satisfaction of the basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) in university students, adopting a positive psychology viewpoint. The first aim was to explore whether value awareness (measured with the Engaged Living Scale) differs across academic levels. The hypothesis was that there would be a general progression, which is in line with previous research on student identity development. However, no significant differences were found. Additionally, a strong positive relation was found between value awareness and subjective well-being (measured with the Satisfaction with Life Scale). Finally, a mediating role of satisfaction of the basic psychological needs (measured with the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale) was identified in this relation. This result offers a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of how basic psychological needs are satisfied, providing additional insights into Self-Determination Theory. Furthermore, the study’s findings imply that universities should consider looking into curriculum changes, in order to increase students’ value awareness and therefore their well-being (both directly and through basic psychological needs satisfaction). Keywords: value awareness, subjective well-being, positive psychology, self- determination theory, basic psychological needs, student well-being

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Ballato, L.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2025 10:47
Last Modified:	16 Jul 2025 10:47
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5550

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