The role of daily need crafting in daily fluctuations in adolescents’ need-based and affective experiences

Abstract

Based on self-determination theory, this diary study examined associations between adolescents' daily need crafting and daily fluctuations in their need-based and affective experiences. We also examined the role of daily perceived autonomysupportive parenting in adolescents' daily need-crafting. Adolescents (N = 159; M age = 15.56; 62% female) filled out a diary for seven consecutive days. Multilevel path analyses indicated that need crafting varied on a day-to-day basis, with daily need crafting relating positively to daily positive affect and negatively to negative affect. The benefits of daily need crafting were accounted for by higher daily need satisfaction and lower need frustration. Further, on days adolescents perceived more parental autonomy support, they reported more need satisfaction and less need frustration, an effect that was partially due to higher need crafting that day. Overall, the results suggest that need crafting represents a critical pro-active skill, with resulting benefits for adolescents' daily need-based experiences and well-being.

Autonomy-supportive agents: whose support matters most, and how does it unfold in the workplace?

“…According to the literature, both managers and colleagues can support others’ need for autonomy (Jungert et al, 2013 , 2020 ; Kaabomeir et al, 2022 ; Moreau & Mageau, 2012 ). More recent studies have confirmed individuals’ role in supporting their own need for autonomy as well (Laporte et al, 2021 , 2022a , 2022b ; Sheldon et al, 2021 ). Congruent with SDT assumptions, Laporte et al ( 2021 ) introduced the concept of need crafting as a proactive side of need satisfaction.…”

“…Need-supportive practices are viewed as eudaemonic practices that boost need satisfaction (Martela & Sheldon, 2019 ). Studies support the boosting effect of such practices by reporting that need support (Kaabomeir et al, 2022 ; Sheldon et al, 2021 ) and need crafting (Laporte et al, 2021 ; 2022a , 2022b ) are associated positively with need satisfaction. As a spin-off, need satisfaction boosts well-being (Martela & Sheldon, 2019 ; Laporte et al, 2022a , 2022b ).…”

“…Studies support the boosting effect of such practices by reporting that need support (Kaabomeir et al, 2022 ; Sheldon et al, 2021 ) and need crafting (Laporte et al, 2021 ; 2022a , 2022b ) are associated positively with need satisfaction. As a spin-off, need satisfaction boosts well-being (Martela & Sheldon, 2019 ; Laporte et al, 2022a , 2022b ). This is evidenced by the positive association between autonomy satisfaction and work engagement (see Coxen et al, 2021 and Van den Broeck et al, 2016 for overviews).…”

“…Empirical studies provide support for the direct relationships between need support and its positive outcomes: motivation (Jungert et al, 2013 , 2020 ; Kaabomeir et al, 2022 ), self-efficacy (Jungert et al, 2013 ), work satisfaction, psychological health (Moreau & Mageau, 2012 ), subjective well-being (Moreau & Mageau, 2012 ; Sheldon et al, 2021 ), and psychological need satisfaction (Sheldon et al, 2021 ). Need crafting has also been associated with need satisfaction and well-being (Laporte et al, 2021 ; 2022a , 2022b ). Therefore, it was hypothesized that: Hypothesis 1a: All sources of autonomy support contributed to autonomy satisfaction.…”

“…This is unfortunate, as the core notion of SDT advocates for the self-determined actions of individuals. Studies that focused on self-support (sometimes in comparison to interpersonal support) included adolescents (Laporte et al, 2021 , 2022a , 2022b ), the general public (Laporte et al, 2022b ), hikers, and students (Behzadnia & FatahModares, 2020 ; Sheldon et al, 2021 ). Job crafting and its effectiveness are influenced by the context in which employees craft (Zhang & Parker, 2019 ).…”