Psychological need satisfaction and mental well-being: the sequential mediating roles of authenticity and self-esteem

Zeynep Şimşir Gökalp and Kemal Baytemir

International Journal of Happiness and Development, 2026, vol. 10, issue 3, 297-314

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the multiple mediations of authenticity and self-esteem in the relationship between psychological need satisfaction and mental well-being levels of young adults. The sample comprised 452 young adults, 309 (68%) females, and 143 (32%) males aged 18-35. The results showed that both single and multiple mediation effects of authenticity and self-esteem were significant in the relationship between psychological need satisfaction and mental well-being. Moreover, the single mediation effect of self-esteem was more robust than the models in which authenticity and self-esteem mediated together. However, no statistically significant difference was detected between the model mediated by authenticity alone and that mediated by self-esteem alone. Based on the findings, as young adults meet their psychological need satisfaction, their authenticity and self-esteem levels increase, and as a result, their mental well-being levels increase. These results were evaluated and contextualised within the framework of prior research.

Keywords: psychological need satisfaction; mental well-being; authenticity; self-esteem; young adults; happiness. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijhdev:v:10:y:2026:i:3:p:297-314

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