Testing Self-Determination Theory via Nigerian and Indian adolescents
Abstract
We tested the generalizability of five propositions derived from Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000) using school-aged adolescents living in India ( N = 926) and Nigeria ( N = 363). Consistent with past U.S. research, perceived teacher autonomy-support predicted students’ basic need-satisfaction in the classroom and also predicted positive class evaluations. The three basic needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness also predicted positive class evaluations, and furthermore predicted students’ general life-satisfaction. Also, balance among the three needs had positive associations with life-satisfaction independent of the amount of need-satisfaction. Finally, perceived maternal and paternal autonomy-support both predicted life-satisfaction. Support was also found for two demographic hypotheses: older students perceived less autonomy-support from parents and teachers, and Indian students reported greater life-satisfaction than Nigerian students.
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Autonomy support has been found important for fostering not only autonomy need satisfaction but also competence and relatedness.
“Although need support can be directed toward the satisfaction of either autonomy, competence, or relatedness needs, the bulk of research on need support has focused on autonomy support as it has been found to be important for fostering not only autonomy need satisfaction but also competence and relatedness (Sheldon et al., 2009).”
From Pathways to Student Motivation: A Meta-Analysis of Antecedents of Autonomous and Controlled Motivations (2022) · cites this paper as Sheldon et al., 2009
Cites
The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000) · Psychological Inquiry · doi:10.1207/s15327965pli1104_01 · Cited by 34,210 · see citing works
Daily Well-Being: The Role of Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness
Reis, H. T., Sheldon, K. M., Gable, S. L., Roscoe, J., & Ryan, R. M. (2000) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167200266002 · Cited by 2,067 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Repeated measures or longitudinal studies of within-subject variation in needsatisfaction and well-being are necessary to control for such country-level differences in baseline scale usage (Reis et al., 2000).”
Self-citationWhat is satisfying about satisfying events? Testing 10 candidate psychological needs.
Sheldon, K. M., Elliot, A. J., Kim, Y., & Kasser, T. (2001) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.80.2.325 · Cited by 1,694 · see citing works
Self-citationIt's not just the amount that counts: Balanced need-satisfaction also affects well-being
Sheldon, K. M., & Niemiec, C. P. (2006) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.91.2.331 · Cited by 454 · see citing works
Self-citationFilak, V. F., & Sheldon, K. M. (2008) · Educational Psychology · doi:10.1080/01443410802337794 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
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Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020) · Contemporary Educational Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860 · Cited by 6,037 · see citing works
Bureau, J. S., Howard, J. L., Chong, J. X. Y., & Guay, F. (2022) · Review of Educational Research · doi:10.3102/00346543211042426 · Cited by 414 · see citing works
“Although need support can be directed toward the satisfaction of either autonomy, competence, or relatedness needs, the bulk of research on need support has focused on autonomy support as it has been found to be important for fostering not only autonomy need satisfaction but also competence and relatedness (Sheldon et…”
BackgroundRodríguez-Meirinhos, A., Antolín-Suárez, L., Brenning, K., Vansteenkiste, M., & Oliva, A. (2020) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-018-00072-9 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
- Authors
- Sheldon, K. M., Abad, N., & Omoile, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Missouri (US)
- Venue
- International Journal of Behavioral Development
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2009-07-15
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 451-459
- ISSN
- 0165-0254 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-0651
- OpenAlex
- W2123007776
- Cited by
- 79
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 8 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Behavioral Development (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
- Social Sciences › Education › Early Childhood Education and Development
- Keywords
- self-determination theory, basic psychological needs, autonomy support, competence, relatedness, need satisfaction, life satisfaction, course evaluation, teacher autonomy support, parental autonomy support, cross-cultural generalizability, adolescents, age differences, India, Nigeria
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