Modeling the Effect of Autonomy (Need Satisfaction and Need Thwarting) on Self-Worth in Iranian Older Women with the Mediating Role of Positive Psychology

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the effect of autonomy (need satisfaction and need thwarting) on self-worth in Iranian older women with the mediating role of positive psychology. This applied, quantitative, and descriptive-survey study was conducted on 108 Iranian women aged over 60 years selected through purposive sampling; data were collected using standardized questionnaires of basic psychological need satisfaction, need thwarting, self-worth, and positive psychology, and analyzed using structural equation modeling and Sobel test in SmartPLS and SPSS software. The results indicated that need satisfaction had a significant positive effect on both positive psychology and self-worth (p<0.01), whereas need thwarting significantly affected positive psychology but did not have a significant direct effect on self-worth (p>0.05); furthermore, positive psychology significantly predicted self-worth (p<0.01), and Sobel test results confirmed a significant mediating role of positive psychology in the relationships between both need satisfaction and need thwarting with self-worth (p<0.01). The findings suggest that satisfying basic psychological needs, particularly when accompanied by enhanced positive psychological functioning, plays a crucial role in improving self-worth among older women and contributes to their psychological well-being.