The Pursuit of Happiness in Academia

Motivational Foundations of Student Well-Being

Abstract

Understanding the interplay between motivation and subjective well-being is essential for optimising academic outcomes and promoting holistic development in higher education. This paper reviews the theoretical underpinnings of motivation, with a particular focus on Self-Determination Theory, which categorises motivation types into intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation. Drawing on a broad range of empirical studies, we examine how intrinsic motivation correlates with positive affect, life satisfaction, and academic success, whereas extrinsic motivation and amotivation are associated with less consistent and, at times, adverse outcomes. In addition, the literature highlights the importance of fostering autonomy, competence, and relatedness in educational settings to enhance both academic performance and overall well-being. By integrating insights from both motivation and subjective wellbeing research, this paper offers guidelines for developing autonomy-supportive educational environments and provides recommendations for future research in diverse cultural and demographic contexts.