Latent profile analysis of psychological needs thwarting in Chinese school teachers

Longitudinal associations with problematic smartphone use, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support

Bibliographic Data

ID22068744
AuthorsXiao-Ling Liao (Krirk University), Cui-Hong Cao (Qufu Normal University, corresponding author), Jeffrey Hugh Gamble (0000-0001-7381-0053, National Changhua University of Education), Lingling Li (0000-0002-5951-8387), Ling-Ling Li, Xing-Yong Jiang, Cun-Xu Bo, I‐Hua Chen (0000-0001-6999-6406, Qufu Normal University, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume11
Pages1299929-1299929
Publication date2023-12-18
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2023.1299929
PMID38174075
OpenAlexW4389895492
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited66

Introduction: In light of the significant impact that teachers have on education quality and student growth, their mental health warrants special attention. With the increasing popularity of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the rise of online teaching during the pandemic, teachers have become a group prone to developing problematic smartphone use (PSU). Psychological need thwarting (PNT) has been shown to be closely related to PSU, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support. However, most previous studies have adopted a variable-centered approach, which may overlook the possibility that the three basic needs are not closely associated and could form distinct profiles. Therefore, this study aims to apply latent profile analysis to identify different PNT profiles and their associations with PSU, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support. Methods: A longitudinal survey was conducted using convenience and purposive sampling methods. The survey involved 1,642 primary and middle school teachers working in China over a two-month interval, with the first assessment in November 2021 (Time 1) and the second in January 2022 (Time 2). Results: The results indicate that a three-profile model, intricately based on the PNT data gathered at Time 1, is most optimal: Class 1 is labeled as 'High autonomy-High competence and Moderate relatedness thwarting', Class 2 as 'High autonomy-High competence and High relatedness thwarting', and Class 3 as 'Low psychological needs thwarting'. Distinct associations were observed among the three profiles concerning PSU, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support. Specifically, in terms of PSU, the score of Class 2 was higher than Class 1, with that of Class 3 being the lowest at Time 1, while at Time 2 no significant difference was found between any two of these three groups; in terms of distress, the scores of the three profiles were arranged from high to low as Class 2, 1, and 3 at both time points; and in terms of perceived administrative support, the order was just the opposite, with 3, 1, and 2 from high to low at both Time 1 and Time 2. Conclusion: Notably, the consistent ranking of the three classes in terms of psychological distress and administrative support suggests a lasting influence of PNT. Future studies should explore this enduring impact further by employing additional longitudinal data sets and examining potential mediators or moderators beyond the current study's scope

Autonomy · Latent class model · Mental health · Nonprobability sampling · Popularity · Psychiatry · Psychological distress · Applied Psychology · Computer Science · Grit, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Technostress in Professional Settings

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access