Moderating effect of regulatory focus on the relationship between basic psychological needs and well-being

Abstract

This study examined the moderating effects of regulatory focus on the relationship between basic psychological needs support from friends, needs satisfaction, and well-being. Based on regulatory focus theory, it was hypothesized that in a promotion focus, the need for autonomy would be better fulfilled and a person's well-being would increase when they perceived autonomy support, whereas in a prevention focus, the need for relatedness would be better fulfilled and a person's well-being would increase when they perceived relatedness support. University students (n = 223) participated in this study. The results indicated that when there was perceived relatedness support, students with high prevention focus fulfilled the need for relatedness more than those with low prevention focus. Since we focused on relatedness support from friends, safety and calmness were emphasized, which fit the prevention focus. Additionally, relatedness support influences the need fulfillment of relatedness, which in turn affects a person's well-being. These results supported the prevention focus hypothesis, but not the promotion focus hypothesis.