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University Students’ Subjective Well-being: The Role of Autonomy Support from Parents, Friends, and the Romantic Partner

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Abstract

This study investigated the relations between perceived autonomy support from three significant sources (parents, friends, and the romantic partner) and university students’ subjective well-being (SWB) using two approaches: a variable-centered and person-centered approach. Participants were 256 university students (191 women, 65 men) involved in a romantic relationship. Results from both approaches revealed that students’ perception that significant individuals support their autonomy predicted higher levels of SWB. Furthermore, results from a person-centered approach suggested that students reported the highest levels of SWB when all sources were perceived to be highly autonomy supportive. Together, these findings support a sensitization process of need satisfaction. Implications for SWB and self-determination theory are discussed.

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We thank all the participants for agreeing to take part in this project.

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Correspondence to Catherine F. Ratelle.

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A portion of this research was part of the second author’s Masters’ thesis

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Ratelle, C.F., Simard, K. & Guay, F. University Students’ Subjective Well-being: The Role of Autonomy Support from Parents, Friends, and the Romantic Partner. J Happiness Stud 14, 893–910 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9360-4

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