Psychological need satisfaction across levels of experience: Their organization and contribution to general well-being

The present research examines the interrelation between psychological need satisfaction at the general, domain-specific, and episodic levels of experience, and the extent to which need satisfaction at each level predicts general well-being independently of the other levels. Results show evidence for both top-down and bottom-up effects of need satisfaction across three levels of experience and provide support for a heterarchical model of need satisfaction. Psychological need satisfaction at three distinct levels of experience independently contributes to general well-being both measured concurrently and prospectively. Overall, the present research provides a theoretical and empirical model of the organization of need satisfaction across multiple levels of experience. This supports the importance of assessing need satisfaction at multiple levels of experience.

► Examined organization of psychological need satisfaction at three levels of experience. ► Found evidence for both top-down and bottom-up effects. ► Results provide support for a heterarchical model of need satisfaction. ► Need satisfaction at each level independently contributes to general well-being.