The Relationship between Basic Psychological Needs, Psychological Capital and Life Satisfaction Among University Students

Authors

  • Syed Shah Ali Abbas BS Psychology Scholar, Department of Psychology Kohat University of Science and Technology Kohat
  • Dua BS Psychology Scholar, Department of Psychology Kohat University of Science and Technology Kohat
  • Muhammad Amjid Psychology Lecturer, Department of Psychology Kohat University of Science and Technology Kohat
  • Sadaf Nayab BS Psychology Scholar, Department of Psychology Kohat University of Science and Technology Kohat
  • Noorjehan BS Psychology Scholar, Department of Psychology Kohat University of Science and Technology Kohat

Abstract

Psychological capital (hope, optimism, resilience, self-efficacy) refers to the psychological capacity of an individual that can be assessed, enhanced, and effectively utilized to enhance performance. Self-determination theory posits existence of fundamental needs (autonomy, relatedness, competency need) that must be fulfilled to enhance psychological well-being and ensure wholesome development (Ryan and Deci 2000). Maladjustment and even psychopathology are said to occur when these demands are not met i.e., causing psychological needs frustration (Vansteenkiste and Ryan 2013). Life satisfaction can be interpreted as the summit of joy experienced across life domains (Salvatore and Mun˜oz Sastre, 2001). Our purpose of research was to find the relationship between basic psychological need satisfaction/frustration, compound psychological capital and satisfaction with life Satisfaction of university students. We collected data from 353 participants (university students). Basic Psychological need satisfaction and frustration scale (BPNSFS), compound psychological capital (CPC-12) and satisfaction with life scale was used for data collection. We found positively significant correlation between PsyCap (hope, optimism, resilience, self-efficacy) and life satisfaction. Our findings indicate that basic psychological need satisfaction is significantly and positively correlated with psychological capital and life satisfaction. While frustrating these needs is negatively correlated with PsyCap and life satisfaction (except for positive relationship of autonomy frustration with hope, optimism, resilience, self-efficacy, life satisfaction and positive relationship between relatedness frustration and competence frustration with resilience).

Keywords: Basic Psychological Needs, Psychological Capital, Life Satisfaction, University Students, Student Well-being

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18271333

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Published

2026-01-16

How to Cite

Syed Shah Ali Abbas, Dua, Muhammad Amjid, Sadaf Nayab, & Noorjehan. (2026). The Relationship between Basic Psychological Needs, Psychological Capital and Life Satisfaction Among University Students. `, 5(01), 132–145. Retrieved from https://assajournal.com/index.php/36/article/view/1294

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 01 (2026): Advance Social Science Archive Journal

Section

Articles