Associations Between Parental Psychological Control and Autonomy Support, and Psychological Outcomes in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Need Satisfaction and Need Frustration

Relatively few studies have examined the mediating role of basic psychological needs in the relationship between parenting and psychological outcomes using a Self-Determination Theory (SDT) framework. This study aimed to examine the role of need satisfaction and need frustration as mediators of the association between parental psychological control, autonomy support and psychological outcomes. In a sample of 302 late adolescents, we found that parental psychological control was positively associated with feelings of need frustration and depression, whilst the concept of parental autonomy support was positively associated with feelings of need satisfaction and vitality. In turn, need satisfaction promoted feelings of vitality, whereas need frustration led to feelings of depression. Satisfaction of needs was a full mediator of the relationship between autonomy support and vitality, while frustration of needs was a full mediator of the relationship between psychological control and depression. These findings are discussed in terms of SDT. We also discuss how future research may further increase our understanding of the dynamics involved in psychological control, autonomy support and psychological outcomes.