Satisfaction Does not Equal Success: College Alcohol Use and Basic Psychological Needs

From the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) perspective, this study identified significant relationships between basic psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) and alcohol-related attitudes and behaviors among college students. Also related to basic needs and alcohol use were GPA, university satisfaction, self-efficacy, and perceived academic support. Group differences were explored by gender, first-generation student status, and Greek affiliation. Implications for higher education institutions are discussed.