Association Between Basic Psychological Needs and University Adjustment Among First-Year University Students

Background: Adjustment to university life plays a crucial role in students’ academic, social, and emotional development. The fulfillment of basic psychological needs such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness, is a key factor influencing this adjustment process.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between first-year university students’ basic psychological needs and their level of adjustment to university life. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of support systems that facilitate students’ adaptation to the university environment.

Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study was conducted during the 2023–2024 academic year with 345 associate degree students. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Basic Psychological Needs Scale, and the University Adaptation Scale. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, independent-samples t test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results: Overall, students reported high levels of satisfaction of their psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness and demonstrated high levels of university adjustment. However, differences in academic, social, and institutional adjustment were observed across academic programs. Regression analysis revealed that autonomy, competence, and relatedness significantly predicted the subdimensions of university adjustment, explaining 9–15% of the variance.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of creating supportive educational environments that foster autonomy, strengthen students’ sense of competence, and enhance interpersonal connectedness. Universities should implement student-centered policies and psychosocial support services that promote the satisfaction of basic psychological needs to facilitate a smoother and more sustainable adjustment to university life.

Keywords: Psychological needs, university adjustment, university life