Examining the relationship between parental motivational messages, self-determination, psychological well-being and distress among university students

University life offers opportunities for growth but can also bring heightened psychological challenges. Although parental involvement usually declines during this stage, many parents continue to influence their children through motivational messages. Yet little is known about how these messages relate to students’ psychological well-being and distress. Drawing on self-determination theory, this study explored the relationships between perceived parental motivational messages (PMM), students’ self-determination and their psychological outcomes. A sample of 119 undergraduate students in the United Kingdom (UK) completed an online questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses revealed that reassurance messages (i.e. downplaying academic outcomes and providing emotional support) were linked to greater flourishing, while pride (i.e. striving to make parents proud) and behaviour (i.e. motivational withdrawal when reminded to study) messages were associated with increased psychological distress. Furthermore, the results of mediation analyses showed that behaviour messages were indirectly associated with flourishing and life satisfaction through self-determination, with no significant direct associations observed. As one of the first studies to examine these relationships, the current findings offer preliminary insights for those seeking to promote psychological well-being and reduce psychological distress among university students.