Investigation of leisure time motivation and basic psychological needs in terms of various variables in Namik Kemal University students

The present research attempts to determine the leisure time motivation and basic psychological needs of university students according to gender and leisure time type. The second aim of the study is to show how leisure time basic psychological needs would predict the leisure time motivation. For the purpose of the study, the validity and reliability of the Basic Psychological Needs Scale in Leisure Activity(BPNSLA) are also tested. 157 female (Xage = 20.27 ± 1.34 yrs) and 180 male (Xage = 21.01 ± 1.49 yrs) students were enrolled in this study. Personal information documents "Leisure Time Motivation Scale (LTMS)" and "Basic Psychological Needs Scale in Leisure Activity(BPNSLA)" were administered face to face to participants. Descriptive statistical analysis (mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage), exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Standard Multiple Regression Analysis methods were used, and LTBPNS, adapted from the Basic Psychological Needs Scale in Exercise as a basic psychological needs scale, was found to be a valid and reliable measurement tool. When the findings obtained from the study are examined, it can be seen that there is a statistically difference according to the gender in the external regulation subscale of the leisure time motivations of the participants. There wasn't difference between the subscales of the basic psychological needs of participants in term of leisure time according to gender. There is no difference in the leisure time motivation of participants according to leisure time types, but there is a significant difference in leisure time autonomy and competence needs according to leisure time types. In addition, the findings showed that the basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence andreletedness are significant predictors of the sub-dimensions of leisure time motivation. According to the results obtained from the findings, male participated in leisure time activities more externally than female; in their leisure time, those who read books need for less autonomy than the students who listen to music and do sports. It has been found that those who do sports have more competency needs than students who read books. When the participants participate to the leisure time activities with to know, to feel the stimulus, to identification and external reasons, autonomy increased; the need for autonomy decreased when they participate in the direction of lack of motivation; the need to relate increased when they participate with to identification, to determine and external reasons; when they participate in the direction of lack of motivation, the need to relate decreased; has been seen. Keywords: Leisure time motivation, autonomy, competence, relatedness,university students