Psychometric Evaluation of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) in Italy

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this multistudy report was to adapt the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) to the Italian context. Two studies were conducted. In Study 1, we investigated the dimensionality, reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity of the instrument in a sample of 544 participants (males = 41%) from 16 to 35 years old. In Study 2, we replicated the results concerning dimensionality in an independent sample of 502 participants (males = 42%) from 16 to 35 years old. Furthermore, we analyzed measurement invariance across gender. Results of both studies showed that comparing a series of competitive factorial models, the 6-factor model had the best fit to the data, assessing 6 different but related dimensions: autonomy satisfaction, autonomy frustration, relatedness satisfaction, relatedness frustration, competence satisfaction, and competence frustration. Moreover, the reliability and convergent and discriminant validity can be considered adequate. Finally, the BPNSFS was shown to be invariant across gender. In sum, the BPNSFS can be considered a promising instrument in the context of self-determination theory-based research for investigating satisfaction and frustration of the 3 basic needs in Italy.

KEYWORDS:

• Need satisfaction
• need frustration
• self-determination theory
• psychometric evaluation
• BPNSFS

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sebastiano Costa

Sebastiano Costa is a PhD at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (DIMED) of the University of Messina (Italy). His research interests focus on the motivational processes and emotional dynamics underlying the relation between contextual factor and psychological well-being in several settings.

Sonia Ingoglia

Sonia Ingoglia is Assistant Professor in Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology at the Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Palermo (Italy). Her research interests include the study of parent-child relations and the psychosocial adjustment in adolescence and emerging adulthood.

Cristiano Inguglia

Cristiano Inguglia is Assistant Professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Palermo (Italy). His research interests include the study of psychological and social adaptation of children, adolescents and emerging adults of different backgrounds.

Francesca Liga

Francesca Liga is Assistant Professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (DIMED) of the University of Messina (Italy). Her research areas focus on different aspects of developmental psychology, particularly regarding risk and protective factors in adolescence and the process of adolescents' individuation.

Alida Lo Coco

Alida Lo Coco is Full Professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Palermo (Italy). Her research interests focus on parent-child relations and the psychosocial adjustment in adolescence and emerging adulthood.

Rosalba Larcan

Rosalba Larcan is Full Professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (DIMED) of the University of Messina (Italy). Her research interests focus on psychological processes related to family functioning, parenting and their effects on the psychosocial development of children.