Psychometric properties of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale in university students from northern Peru (2026)

The satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs have been studied in various contexts; however, there is little evidence regarding their functioning in the adult population of Latin America. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale in Peruvian university students. The study included 283 students enrolled in medical science programs at universities in the Lambayeque region, selected through non-probabilistic snowball sampling. The internal structure of the scale was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, and one oblique model and two hierarchical models were tested. The results showed that the six-factor correlated model presented better fit indices than the hierarchical models evaluated (CFI = .960; TLI = .953; RMSEA = .060; SRMR = .054). Furthermore, the six dimensions exhibited adequate levels of reliability (ω = .730–.840) and expected relationships with psychological well-being, with positive associations for the satisfaction dimensions and negative associations for the frustration dimensions. In conclusion, the BPNSFS provides favorable psychometric evidence for assessing satisfaction and frustration regarding basic psychological needs among Peruvian university students.