Self-determination model: Autonomy support, need satisfaction and well being

The model of self-determination, which is based on self determination theory, related to satisfaction with the basic psychological needs has been tested and to what extent it works in Turkey has been studied in the present research. In the self-determination theory, three basic psychological needs which are called autonomy, competence and relatedness has been studied. It has been accepted that these basic psychological needs are universal. The theory suggests that the satisfaction degree depends on autonomy support which comes from individuals social context and needs satisfaction is necessary for well-being. A working group has been established in order that the model of self- determination can be tested. This working group has comprised of 414 students, including 216 females and 198 males from Social Sciences Teaching, History Teaching, Arabian Teaching, English Teaching, Pre-school Teaching, Turkish Teaching, Biology Teaching, Math Teaching, Physics Teaching, Psychological Counseling and Guidance Departments of Gazi University, Faculty of Education. Within the scope of this research, satisfaction with the basic psychological needs has been measured via "Needs Satisfaction Scale", developed by Deci and Ryan (1991) and adjusted Turkish by Bacanlı ve Cihangir-Çankaya (2003). Self- esteem level of the students has been measured via Self-Esteem Scale (Ancak, 1999); their level of anxiety has been measured via State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, Gorsuch and Lushene 1970); their level of satisfaction with life has been measured via Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, Emmans, Larsen and Griffin 1983); support for autonomy they get from the environment has been measured via Social Support Scale (Yıldırım, 1997). In this research it has been studied on whether the factor of support for autonomy influencing needs satisfaction in accordance with the "model of self- Ill determination" and the factor of feeling good influenced by satisfaction with needs is effective in Turkey. With this aim, points of the scales applied to the working group have been calculated and data have been analysed via structural equation model. For the analysis of data SPSS 1 1.0 and LISREL 8.30 programmes have been used. Following the analysis, direct and indirect influences of the independent variables (needs satisfaction and support for autonomy) and of needs satisfaction as well as support for autonomy on the dependent variable that is subjective well- being, have been put forward and findings of the research are presented below: 1. Support for autonomy has a direct and positive influence on needs satisfaction. 2. Satisfaction of individuals' basic psychological needs has a direct and- positive influence on their level of self-esteem. 3. Satisfaction of individuals' basic psychological needs has a direct and positive influence on their level of anxiety. 4. Satisfaction of individuals' basic psychological needs has a direct and positive influence on their level of satisfaction with life. 5. The model of self-determination, which has been tested, complies with the data gathered in Turkey. In other words, it has been observed that support for autonomy that individuals get from their family and friends has a direct and positive influence on their basic psychological needs, which, in turn, has a positive influence on subjective well-being. The findings of this research shows validity of the model of self- determination in Turkish culture.