Goal content, well-being, and psychological needs satisfaction in Chinese adolescents

We examined the mediating role of psychological needs satisfaction in the association between goal content and subjective well-being (SWB) in a Chinese cultural context. Chinese adolescents (N = 493) completed the Aspiration Index, the Basic Needs Satisfaction in General Scale, and the Index of Well-Being. The results suggested that SWB was positively correlated with intrinsic goals and psychological needs satisfaction, and intrinsic goals were positively correlated with psychological needs satisfaction. Mediation analysis revealed that psychological needs satisfaction partially mediated the association between intrinsic goals and SWB. These results imply that pursuit of intrinsic goals helps individuals meet their psychological needs, thus promoting SWB. Together, these results suggest that educators and parents can help Chinese adolescents enhance their SWB by encouraging them to form intrinsic life goals and satisfy their psychological needs.