The phenomenon of relapsing into poverty is a crucial factor in determining the success of poverty alleviation efforts, and the lack of intrinsic motivation among individuals to escape poverty is a primary cause of poverty's recurrence. This study is grounded in the theory of self-determination and constructs a research model to elucidate the psychological mechanisms by which intrinsic motivation prevents individuals from falling back into destitution. An examination of relevant data collected from economically disadvantaged individuals in Guangxi, China reveals that social trust has a significant and positive effect on the satisfaction of autonomy needs, competence needs, relatedness needs, and endogenous motivation. The relationship between social trust and endogenous motivation is simultaneously mediated by autonomy needs, competence needs, and relatedness needs. It is evident that psychological factors such as social trust, autonomy needs, competence needs, and relatedness needs have a significant impact on the intrinsic motivation of individuals to combat poverty.