Differential influence of basic psychological needs on burnout and academic achievement in three southeast European countries

Abstract

Several studies show the importance of basic psychological needs (BPN) for decreasing burnout and increasing grade point average (GPA), but, to our knowledge, no prior study has explored the potential contextual differences in Southeastern European countries. Moreover, even less is known about how this relationship may differ during stressful (exam) and less stressful (beginning of the semester) periods. Measures of the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Student Survey and BPN Satisfaction and Frustration Scale were translated and adapted. The study included a cross‐sectional sample of students from Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia during beginning of the semester and exam period. Across all countries and both contexts, students with high autonomy need satisfaction showed the strongest decrease in burnout, followed by those with high competence need satisfaction. Students with high academic achievement showed an increase due to competence need satisfaction. Competence and autonomy need satisfaction were higher beginning of a semester, while burnout was higher during the exam period. BPN play an important role in educational settings—satisfaction of the need for autonomy and competence protects students from burnout, and the need for competence predicts greater academic achievement regardless of culture or time of the semester.

The role of self-efficacy, motivation, and perceived support of students' basic psychological needs in academic achievement

“…. and DiBenedetto, 2021; Zysberg and Schwabsky, 2021;Kontaş and Özcan, 2022;Muhtadi et al, 2022;Zorlu and Ünver, 2022;Luo et al, 2023;Salvo-Garrido et al, 2023;Al-khresheh and Alkursheh, 2024;Bozzato, 2024) and that BPN satisfaction predicts achievement (Taylor et al, 2014;Nalipay et al, 2020;Theis et al, 2020;Ahn et al, 2021;Buzzai et al, 2021;Afzal and Jami, 2023;Earl et al, 2023;Vijayakumaran et al, 2023;Wangchuk, 2023;Zhang and Jiang, 2023;Zupančič et al, 2024). The linkage between selfefficacy, BPN and achievement; however, has not yet been well established.…”

“…. Basic psychological needs, motivation, and academic achievement Many studies link the satisfaction and frustration of students' BPN with academic achievement (Ahn et al, 2021;Buzzai et al, 2021;Afzal and Jami, 2023;Vijayakumaran et al, 2023;Wangchuk, 2023;Zhang and Jiang, 2023;Zupančič et al, 2024). Students' perception of satisfaction or frustration in the classroom is influenced by the teacher.…”