Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction in Leisure and Academics of Chinese International Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Subjective well-being (SWB) of university students is an important topic as mental health issues are common among them. Especially, Chinese international students may encounter heightened stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic along with anti-Asian hate crimes. Basic Psychological Need Theory suggests the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs enhances SWB, and research shows these needs are met in leisure and academic lives. Thus, this study examines how need satisfaction during leisure and academics relates to SWB of Chinese international students. Through a cross-sectional online survey, we collected data from 444 students at a Canadian university. Structural equation modeling suggested autonomy satisfaction in leisure positively predicted leisure life satisfaction, and autonomy and competence satisfaction in academics positively affected academic life satisfaction. Leisure and academic life satisfaction had comparable positive effects on global life satisfaction. We advocate for need support in campus recreation and academics to support student mental health.