Basic Psychological Needs Scale

The Basic Psychological Needs Questionnaire (BPNQ), developed by Gagné (2003) and grounded in Self-Determination Theory by Deci and Ryan, measures satisfaction of three fundamental human psychological needs: Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness. According to Self-Determination Theory, these three needs are universally necessary for psychological health, well-being, and intrinsic motivation across all life domains. The 21-item BPNQ assesses the extent to which an individual perceives these needs are being met in their current context. It is widely used in research examining motivation, well-being, mental health, exercise engagement, work satisfaction, education, and psychotherapy effectiveness.