Predicting Psychological Needs and Well-being of Athlete Students: The role of Coaches

This study examined basic psychological needs theory, a sub-theory in the self-determination framework, in athlete students. To do this, we examined social-context determinations of well-being among athlete students. Also, the role of basic psychological needs mediators were test. Research design was descriptive-correlational. 234 athlete students (Mean age: 20.9; SD: 3.03) randomly selected in Urmia and Tabriz universities. The results showed that autonomy supportive and task-involving climate positively related to basic needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness) and positive affect. The ego-involving climate related to negative affect. Three psychological needs positively related to positive affect, and negatively related to negative affect. Three psychological needs also were positive mediators in relationships between autonomy supportive and task-involving climate to positive affect. The results of the study have supported the basic needs theory.