Validation of the Measurement of Need Frustration

Abstract

Until recently, need frustration was considered to be the absence of need satisfaction, rather than a separate dimension. Whilst the absence of need satisfaction can hamper growth, experiencing need frustration can lead to malfunctioning and subsequent psychopathology. Therefore, examining these constructs separately is vital, as they produce different outcomes, with the consequences of need frustration potentially more severe. This study sought to examine predictors of need frustration using undergraduate students and individuals from the wider community ( N = 510, females N = 404, M age = 24.15). Participants completed the new need satisfaction frustration scale and measures of anxiety, stress, depression, and negative and positive affect. Support for the position that need frustration is separate to Need Satisfaction and is related to psychological health problems (i.e., ill-being) was found. However, autonomy frustration was not found to be a significant predictor of ill-being. Extending previous research, this study found relationships of stress and somatic anxiety with need frustration. Further, a relationship between need frustration with anxiety and depression occurred, when these symptom dimensions were examined separately, through distinct questionnaires. Support for the construct of need frustration highlights the necessity of examining need frustration in addition to need satisfaction within future studies. Interventions specific to reducing need frustration, specifically competence and relatedness frustration within both the educational and workplace setting are outlined.

The Associations Between Happiness Motives and Well-Being in China: The Mediating Role of Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration

“…People who feel that their basic needs are deprived or blocked become vulnerable to risk factors and deficient in the psychological resources to cope with adversity; thus, they are more likely to show defensiveness and pathological functioning and less likely to experience happiness (Chen et al, 2015;Costa et al, 2016;Longo et al, 2016). Research repeatedly supported the distinction between need satisfaction and need frustration and found that need frustration has a unique association with ill-being (e.g., depression, exhaustion, and negative affect; Longo et al, 2016Longo et al, , 2018Tindall and Curtis, 2019) relative to need satisfaction. The study of Martela and Ryan (2020) also showed that need frustration negatively related to EWB.…”

The mental health impact of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at impeding viral transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic in a general adult population and the factors associated with adherence to these mitigation strategies

“…Furthermore, several other factors have been deemed important to investigate regarding depressive and anxiety symptoms in pandemic settings. These include frustration of autonomy, commonly observed due to imposed behavioral restrictions during pandemics, as well as perceived lack of competence, which is of increased relevance in novel uncertain situation and has been previously associated with detrimental psychopathological symptoms (e.g., Tindall & Curtis, 2019).…”

Physical Distancing and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Factors Associated With Psychological Symptoms and Adherence to Pandemic Mitigation Strategies

“…Furthermore, several other factors have been deemed important to investigate regarding depressive and anxiety symptoms in pandemic settings. These include frustration of autonomy, commonly observed as a result of imposed behavioral restrictions during pandemics, as well as perceived lack of competence, which is of increased relevance in novel uncertain situations and has been previously associated with detrimental psychopathological symptoms (e.g., Tindall & Curtis, 2019). In addition, calls have been made (e.g., Brooks et al, 2020) for investigations into the relationship between these symptoms and the extent of information access and worry about the duration of implemented pandemic protocols because these cognitive variables are hypothesized to be associated with detrimental mental health symptoms.…”