The present study was conducted with the aim of examining the mediating role of basic psychological needs in the relationship between family functioning and psychological distress among students. The research method was correlational. The statistical population included all students of Tehran city in the academic year 1400-1401, of which 237 individuals were selected using convenience sampling and responded online to the Family Assessment Device, the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale and Depression-Anxiety-Stress scale (DASS-21). Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling method. the results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between family functioning problems and three main aspects of psychological distress, namely depression, anxiety and stress, there is a significant negative relationship between family functioning problems and each of basic psychological needs, namely autonomy, competence and relatedness, and also there is a significant negative relationship between each of basic psychological needs with depression, anxiety and stress. Overall, the assumed mediation model of basic psychological needs in the relationship between family functioning and psychological distress had a good fitness (CFI= 0/974, IFI=0/975, RMSEA=0/071). According to the findings, it can be demonstrated that basic psychological needs mediate the relationship between family functioning and psychological distress among the students.