Abstract

The present study investigated the associations between relationship-specific social support, basic psychological needs, and life satisfaction, and whether these associations differ by varying age groups. Participants of 807 adults, aged between 30 and 69 years (Mage=48.81, male=50.4%), reported their social support from spouses, friends, children, and parents, satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), and life satisfaction in 2021 year. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that social support from spouses and friends was positively associated with the levels of life satisfaction. While spousal support was linked to the satisfaction of all needs, friend support was positively linked to the satisfaction of competence and relatedness, and parental support was negatively linked to the satisfaction of autonomy. Moreover, the satisfaction of competence and relatedness were positively associated with life satisfaction, and they mediated the associations between spousal and friend support and life satisfaction. These associations varied by age groups, such that the magnitudes of the associations between relationship-specific social support, the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and life satisfaction were greater for younger adults than for older adults.