The Relationship between Basic Psychological Needs and Health-Promoting Lifestyle: The Gender-Modifying Role

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between basic psychological needs and health-promoting lifestyle with respect to the role of gender moderation. The research method is descriptive-correlation. The statistical population was 18 to 65 years old in nine districts of Mashhad. For this purpose, 334 people were selected voluntarily. The research instruments included the Health Promoting Lifestyle Scale and the Glasser Basic Needs Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software with appropriate statistical tests. The results of Pearson correlation showed that all five basic psychological needs have a significant positive correlation with health-promoting lifestyle(p<0/001). Regarding determining the role of gender modulator, the results of hierarchical regression show the lack of role of gender modulator in the relationship between basic psychological needs and health-promoting lifestyle(p>0/05)., but gender alone has a role in explaining the health-promoting lifestyle. This means that the total score of lifestyle-promoting womenchr('39')s health was significantly higher than men(p<0/001). Conclusion  In general, it can be said that when needs are met and people do not feel deprived, they are motivated to move towards more social goals and are more sensitive to a healthy lifestyle and, if necessary, improve their lifestyle to maintain health. Therefore, paying attention to meeting the basic psychological needs in society can be effective in improving the health-promoting lifestyle of individuals.