Do basic psychological needs affect student engagement in medical school?

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to verify the effect of basic psychological needs of learners on student engagement in medical school. METHODS: A total of 91 first-year and second-year medical students participated in this study. Their basic psychological needs were determined. Student engagement scales were utilized to determine their engagement. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Basic psychological needs showed a total explanatory power of 13% for student engagement (F=5.27, p<0.01). Competence (β=0.295, p<0.01) had statistically significant effect on student engagement. CONCLUSION: Results of the present study verified that student engagement could be determined by learner's traits. Among psychological traits of learners, student engagement was significantly affected by competence. Thus, medical school should provide various experiences to satisfy competence as a basic psychological need of learners.