Basic Psychological Needs and Mental Health in Adolescents with a Mild to Borderline Intellectual Disability

Johanna J. Westera*, Mariët J. van der Molen, Carlo Schuengel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Emotional and behavioral problems are common in adolescents with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities (MBID). Basic Psychological Needs Theory connects fulfillment of basic psychological needs (autonomy, relatedness, competence) to ill-being (mental health problems). The associations between the frustration and satisfaction of basic psychological needs and indicators of mental health problems are the subject of this study. Method: Adolescents with MBID (N = 324, mean age 15.2 years), filled out questionnaires on basic psychological needs (BPNSFS-ID) and on anxiety (SCARED), depression (CDI) and aggression (Externalizing Problems scale of YSR). A subgroup of adolescents with MBID and severe behavioral problems (MBID-SBP) was compared to a general subgroup (MBID-G). Results: Outcomes for adolescents with MBID-SBP were worse than for adolescents with MBID-G on most measures. BPNSFS-ID frustration was positively associated with mental health problems. Correlations for the BPNSFS-ID satisfaction scales were positive but weaker. Associations within the MBID-SBP subgroup were stronger than for the MBID-G subgroup. Discussion: Frustration of BPN in particular is associated with mental health problems. Attending basic psychological needs may potentially help to counter ill-being.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)138-157
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Volume17
Issue number2
Early online date30 Jul 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords

  • adolescents
  • aggression
  • anxiety
  • Basic psychological needs (BPN)
  • BPNSFS-ID
  • depression
  • externalizing behavior
  • MBID
  • mental health

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