Basic Psychological Needs and Psychological Well-Being Among Undergraduate Students in China: The Mediating Role of Autonomous Motivation and Academic Engagement

Yan Li,1,2 Rosilawati Sueb,2 Khadijah Said Hashim2 1School of Language and Cultures, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, 533000 People’s Republic of China; 2Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi MARA, UITM Puncak Alam Campus, Puncak Alam, Selangor, 42300 MalaysiaCorrespondence: Rosilawati Sueb, Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi MARA, UITM Puncak Alam Campus, Puncak Alam, Selangor, 42300, Malaysia, Tel +60133631205, Email [email protected]: From the perspective of positive psychology, and based on Self-Determination Theory and Sustainable Happiness Theory, this study explores the relationship between basic psychological needs and psychological well-being among undergraduate students, as well as the mediating roles of autonomous motivation and academic engagement.Methods: A survey was conducted among 439 undergraduate students using the Basic Psychological Needs Scale, Learning Motivation Scale, Academic Engagement Scale, and Psychological Well-being Scale.Results: Basic psychological needs were significantly and positively correlated with undergraduate students’ psychological well-being. Academic engagement partially mediated the relationship between basic psychological needs and psychological well-being. However, autonomous motivation did not mediate this relationship. Furthermore, autonomous motivation and academic engagement served as chain mediators in the relationship between basic psychological needs and psychological well-being.Conclusion: Basic psychological needs are not only directly related to undergraduate students’ psychological well-being but are also indirectly associated with their psychological well-being through the mediating role of academic engagement and the chain mediating role of autonomous motivation and academic engagement.Keywords: Basic Psychological Needs, Psychological Well-being, Autonomous Motivation, Academic Engagement, Undergraduate Students