The Basic Psychological Needs Scale (BPNS) is still being used but validation studies that applied confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) revealed that the scale has inadequate psychometric properties. CFA is based upon restrictive statistical assumptions that may result in biased parameter estimates. There are statistical developments that overcome these limitations. This study explored the factorial validity of the scale in three South African student samples who completed the English (n = 326), Afrikaans (n = 478), or Setswana (n = 260) version of the BPNS. CFA, bifactor CFA, exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) and bifactor ESEM were applied to the data. The three-factor bifactor ESEM model yielded the best fit, but model fit was inadequate for the English and Setswana versions, and almost adequate for the Afrikaans version. After removal of problematic items based on substantive reasons, high modification indices, and high expected parameter change values, reduced bifactor ESEM models displayed adequate fit. The general factor showed sufficient reliability scores for all language versions. Subscales exhibited insufficient reliability scores, except for the Competence and Relatedness subscales of the BPNS-Afrikaans. A reduced three-factor bifactor ESEM model was partially metric invariant for the English and Afrikaans groups. The BPNS-Afrikaans showed potential for use, but alternative measures of basic psychological needs should be considered for the English and Setswana groups in the current context. The cross-cultural application of basic psychological needs in a South African context is questioned. An emic approach to exploring and conceptualising basic psychological needs in African contexts is recommended.

基本心理需求量表 (BPNS) 仍在使用，但应用验证性因素分析 (CFA) 的验证研究表明，该量表的心理测量特性不足。CFA 基于可能导致参数估计有偏差的限制性统计假设。有克服这些限制的统计发展。本研究在完成英语 ( n  = 326)、南非荷兰语 ( n  = 478) 或 Setswana ( n = 260) 版本的 BPNS。CFA、双因子 CFA、探索性结构方程模型 (ESEM) 和双因子 ESEM 应用于数据。三因素双因子 ESEM 模型产生了最佳拟合，但模型拟合对于英语和 Setswana 版本来说是不够的，而对于南非荷兰语版本来说几乎是足够的。在基于实质性原因、高修改指数和高预期参数变化值删除有问题的项目后，减少的双因子 ESEM 模型显示出足够的拟合度。一般因素显示所有语言版本的可靠性得分都足够。除 BPNS-Afrikaans 的能力和相关性分量表外，分量表的可靠性得分不足。对于英语和南非荷兰语组，减少的三因素双因子 ESEM 模型是部分度量不变的。BPNS-Afrikaans 显示出使用潜力，但在当前情况下，应考虑对英语和 Setswana 组的基本心理需求的替代措施。南非背景下基本心理需求的跨文化应用受到质疑。建议采用一种在非洲背景下探索和概念化基本心理需求的主流方法。