Psychological Development and Education ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (5): 725-725.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2026.05.11

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The Reciprocal Effects between Balanced Time Perspective and Adolescent Mental Health: The Longitudinal Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction

SHEN Mengmeng, LI Xiaobao, QIU Lvsheng   

  1. Faculty of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004
  • Published:2026-09-12

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Abstract: Based on Self-Determination Theory, this study examines the relationship between Balanced Time Perspective (BTP) and adolescent mental health and the mediating role of basic psychological need satisfaction. Based on a questionnaire survey of 1129 high school students (Mage = 17.66, SDage = 1.22), Study 1 revealed that BTP was positively correlated with adolescent subjective well-being and negatively correlated with depression, while basic psychological need satisfaction mediated these relationships cross-sectionally. Employing a longitudinal tracking design, Study 2 collected data from 630 high school students (Mage = 16.93, SDage = 0.83) across three measurement waves at six-month intervals. Results from the cross-lagged panel model demonstrated that: (1) T1 BTP significantly positively predicted T2 subjective well-being and significantly negatively predicted T2 depression; T2 BTP significantly positively predicted T3 subjective well-being and significantly negatively predicted T3 depression; meanwhile, T2 subjective well-being significantly positively predicted T3 BTP, while T2 depression significantly negatively predicted T3 BTP; (2) T2 basic psychological need satisfaction demonstrated longitudinal mediating effects between T1 BTP and T3 subjective well-being, as well as between T1 BTP and T3 depression. This longitudinal mediating effect was primarily driven by the satisfaction of autonomy and competence needs, whereas the mediating effect of relatedness need satisfaction was not significant. These findings highlight the significant impact of BTP and basic psychological need satisfaction on adolescent mental health, offering valuable theoretical groundwork and practical foundations for promoting psychological well-being in this population.

Key words: balanced time perspective, mental health, basic psychological need satisfaction, adolescent

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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