The balanced measure of psychological needs (BMPN) scale: An alternative domain general measure of need satisfaction

Motiv Emot (2012) 36:439451 DOI 10.1007/s11031-012-9279-4

ORIGINAL PAPER

The balanced measure of psychological needs (BMPN) scale: An alternative domain general measure of need satisfaction

Kennon M. Sheldon Jonathan C. Hilpert

Published online: 3 March 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Abstract Psychological need constructs have received increased attention within self-determination theory research. Unfortunately, the most widely used need-satisfaction measure, the Basic Psychological Needs Scale (BPNS; Gagn in Motiv Emot 27:199223, 2003), has been found to be problematic (Johnston and Finney in Contemp Educ Psychol 35:280296, 2010). In the current study, we formally describe an alternate measure, the Balanced Measure of Psychological Needs (BMPN). We explore the factor structure of student responses to both the BPNS and the BMPN, followed by an empirical comparison of the BPNS to the BMPN as predictors of relevant outcomes. For both scales, we tested a model specifying three latent need factors (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) and two latent method factors (satisfaction and dissatisfaction). By specifying and comparing a series of nested conrmatory factor analytic models, we examine the theoretical structure of the need satisfaction variables and produce evidence for convergent and discriminant validity of the posited constructs. The results of our examination suggest that the three need variables should not be combined into one general need factor and may have separate satisfaction and dissatisfaction dimensions. Our model comparisons also suggest the BMPN may be an improved instrument for SDT researchers.

Keywords Psychological needs Measurement

Dimensionality

Introduction

Psychological need constructs are enjoying a renaissance in contemporary motivation research, especially within the self-determination theory tradition (SDT; Deci and Ryan 1985, 1991, 2000; Ryan and Deci 2008; Sheldon 2004). According to SDT, psychological needs are evolved organismic requirements for certain types of experiences, in particular, for autonomy (experiences of volition and self-ownership), competence (experiences of mastery and effectance), and relatedness (experiences of closeness and connectedness with others). Those who obtain all three experiences, either as environmental affordances or as consequences of self-initiated strivings (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999), obtain the psychological nutriments (Ryan 1995) needed to thrive and grow. In contrast, thwarting peoples needs undermines their happiness, growth, and well-being.

Empirical research supporting these propositions rst began to appear in the late 1990s. Sheldon et al. (1996) showed that experiences of autonomy and competence...