Basic psychological need profiles and correlates in volunteers for a national sports event

Abstract

According to the basic psychological need theory, satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs are related to different psychological correlates. The present study aimed to test this tenet in volunteers for a national sport event using a person-centered approach. Specifically, the present study was undertaken to (a) identify the optimal number of need profiles and (b) to examine the associations between identified need profiles and potential correlates including work climate, intrinsic motivation, emotional exhaustion, and continuance intention. Data were collected from 924 volunteers (age range: 18–25 years) for a national sporting event. Results of latent profile analysis showed three need profiles, and the “High Satisfaction, Low Frustration” profile had higher levels of work climate and continuance intention, and a lower level of emotional exhaustion than the other two profiles. These findings enhance the understanding of the basic psychological needs and their relevance to psychological functioning in the context of sport volunteering.