Self-Determination Theory (SDT) posits that basic psychological needs—autonomy, relatedness, and competence—must be satisfied for optimal psychological health (Ryan & Deci, 2017). Emerging research highlights the distinct role of group need satisfaction in motivation and well-being, particularly for minoritized individuals (Kachanoff et al. 2020a). While prior work has explored personal need satisfaction in relation to Black Lives Matter (BLM) engagement (Audet et al., 2022), little is known about the contribution of group need satisfaction and frustration. To assess the extent to which group needs explain unique variance beyond personal need satisfaction/frustration, Black Canadian young adults (n = 226) were surveyed at 5-month intervals between July 2020 and June 2021. Participants completed self-report measures on personal and group need satisfaction/frustration, BLM engagement, pandemic and BLM impact, and subjective well-being. Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that group needs were uniquely associated with several indicators of engagement and adjustment, with need satisfaction and frustration having significant but opposite effects on Black young adults’ adaptation to both the COVID-19 pandemic and the BLM protests over time. Personal need satisfaction was also related to outcomes but only via need satisfaction, not need frustration. Subjective well-being was only predicted by personal need satisfaction. These findings suggest that group-level need satisfaction/frustration plays a distinctive role in adjustment.
