The Role of Psychological Needs in Forecasting the Goal Orientation and Mental Health of Students in Distance Education System

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive power of goal orientation and mental health according to psychological needs of students in distance education System in the academic year of 2016-2017. The statistical population of the study was 1471 students in distance education system among which, by using Cochran formula, 295 individuals were selected as participants through simple random sampling method. The research instruments consisted of three questionnaires measuring goal orientation, psychological needs, and mental health variables. The results show that the components of psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and interactions) have predictive power of goal orientation and mental health. In conclusion, it is necessary to pay attention to the components of psychological needs (autonomy and independence, competency and interactions) in students' educational environments in order to reduce stress levels, to create relaxation and strengthen the targeting. Although, in modern teaching methods, the emphasis is placed on students 'autonomy and independence, the use of combined teaching methods with regard to the benefits of communicating as well as paying attention to students' autonomy is a good way of enabling university students to have mental health and transition goals.