Developing University Students Basic Needs Scale (USBNS): Validity and Reliability Study

Abstract

The aim of this study to examine the validity and reliability of the University Students Basic Needs Scale (USBNS). In this study, data was gathered from 671 students attending Faculty of Education in Pamukkale University. After the investigation of content validity of the scale, explanatory factor analysis was used for construct validity, and correlations with different scales was investigated for criterion-related validity. For reliability study, Cronbach's Coefficient Alpha, item-total correlations and test-retest correlations were calculated. Analysis show that the scale explains 47.99 (%) of the variance with five-factor, and eigenvalues of the factors differ from 1.69 to 7.33. Analysis also show that USBNS has enough internal reliability and test-retest reliability. Cronbach's Coefficient Alpha of subscales differ from .76 to .84, and two weeks test-retest correlations differ from .77 to .85. Expectedly, subscales have negative correlations with Stres Self-Assessment Checklist, and have positive correlations with Self-Esteem Scale, Social Connectedness Scale and Scales of Psychological Well-Being. As a conclusion, it can be said that USBNS is a valid and reliable scale for assessing the fulfillment level of basic needs among university students.