Temporal dynamics of need satisfaction and need frustration. Two sides of the same coin?

Abstract

We study the dynamics of need satisfaction and need frustration by examining how need satisfaction and need frustration change over time and how these changes relate to changes in motivation. To investigate this, volunteers were assessed daily during a delineated activity, resulting in a total sample of 77 volunteers and 467 completed daily diaries. Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis on the within-person level confirmed a bifactor solution: autonomy, competence, and relatedness were distinguished by three specific factors, but the majority of variance was explained by two strongly correlated (need satisfaction and need frustration) factors. The strong correlation between need satisfaction and need frustration further translated in the development of their relationship over time. That is, Bayesian latent growth curve modelling revealed a simultaneous, yet opposite, growth curve. Contrary to our expectations, neither of them could be related to behavioural internalization or externalization. These results imply that, at the within-person level, momentary need satisfaction and frustration are difficult to distinguish, and affecting one may automatically affect the other. Also, the relationships within the self-determination framework, such as the proposed link between need satisfaction and behavioural internalization may be better reframed with attention to the time-frame in which they occur.

Keywords:

• Self-determination theory
• motivational change
• need satisfaction
• need frustration
• Bayesian latent growth curve modelling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. When only modelling the growth curves for need satisfaction and need frustration, the negative correlation between the slope of need satisfaction and the slope of need frustration becomes even stronger (r = −.84, 95% credibility interval = [−.97, −.61]).