Academic Journal

Basic psychological needs and achievement emotions: the role of control and value appraisals in higher education

Bibliographic Details
Title: Basic psychological needs and achievement emotions: the role of control and value appraisals in higher education
Authors: Jason Skues, Earl Freeman, Kelly-Ann Allen
Source: Australian Journal of Psychology, Vol 77, Iss 1 (2025)
Publisher Information: Taylor & Francis Group, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Psychology
Subject Terms: Achievement emotions, basic psychological needs, Control-Value Theory, autonomy satisfaction, cognitive appraisals, Psychology, BF1-990
Description: Objective To investigate how satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) influences achievement emotions through control and value appraisals among university students in Australia.Method The study employed an online survey completed by 420 university students. Measurements included scales for psychological needs satisfaction, control and value appraisals, and achievement emotions. Structural equation modelling analysed the relationships between these variables.Results Analysis revealed that autonomy satisfaction positively correlated with perceived value, while competence and relatedness satisfaction showed no significant associations. The three basic psychological needs demonstrated no significant relationship with perceived control. Perceived value positively associated with both positive and negative activating emotions. Perceived control showed no significant links to achievement emotions. The hypothesised indirect effect of autonomy satisfaction on achievement emotions through value appraisals was not supported, and the overall model demonstrated inadequate fit.Conclusions The findings highlight autonomy satisfaction’s unique role in shaping students’ value appraisals and achievement emotions. Educational practitioners should consider incorporating strategies that support students’ basic psychological needs, particularly autonomy, when designing curriculum and learning environments. Future research should explore alternative pathways between psychological needs satisfaction and achievement emotions to better understand these relationships.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1742-9536
0004-9530
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/0004-9530; https://doaj.org/toc/1742-9536
DOI: 10.1080/00049530.2025.2500937
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/13c8d19087b64c4d8420b72a818923b3
Accession Number: edsdoj.13c8d19087b64c4d8420b72a818923b3
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
ISSN:17429536
00049530
DOI:10.1080/00049530.2025.2500937