Humans are inherently social beings who require connections with others for healthy development and well-being. Relationships with others form the foundation of our identity and influence all aspects of our lives. The model of relational needs developed by Richard Erskine significantly contributes to understanding the complexity of interpersonal relationships and their impact on psychological well-being. Erskine emphasizes that relational needs, such as belonging, love, and secure attachment, are crucial for developing a healthy identity and overall well-being. The aim of our master's research was to examine the psychometric properties of the Macedonian version of the Relational Needs Satisfaction Scale (RNSS). The findings are based on a study that included 223 individuals who speak Macedonian, regardless of whether they live in Macedonia or elsewhere. We also utilized the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB 42) to measure psychological well-being and mental health. Our results confirmed the reliability and validity of the RNSS in the Macedonian cultural context. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the bifactor model, which includes a general factor and specific dimensions, provided the best fit for our data, consistent with findings from other cultural adaptations. Furthermore, the RNSS demonstrated significant correlations with measures of psychological well-being, supporting the hypothesis that relational needs satisfaction is positively associated with overall life satisfaction. These results highlight the importance of relational needs within the Macedonian cultural context and provide valuable tools for researchers and practitioners. The study thus contributes to the cross-cultural understanding of relational needs and their impact on individuals' psychological health.
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