Abstract :
This study examined the impact of the actual
environment on changes in psychological adjustment over
time. According to Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci
and Ryan, Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in
human behavior, 1985a, Plenum, New York; J Res Pers 19:
109–134, 1985b; Psychol Inq 11:227–268, 2000), environments
that are objectively supportive of autonomy should
facilitate psychological adjustment through their impact
on people’s subjective perceptions of autonomy and selfdetermined
motivation. The present study tested this
hypothesis using a prospective design with nursing homes
residents. Results from structural equation modeling showed
that actual autonomy-supportive nursing home environments
were positively associated with residents’ perceptions
of autonomy that in turn predicted self-determined motivation
in major life domains. Self-determined motivation, in
turn, predicted increases in psychological adjustment over a
one-year period. Theoretical implications of the present
findings are discussed in line with SDT.
