Satisfaction of essential needs in E-learning as a mediator of the links between students' attitudes and ethical misbehaviors

The current study investigated the links between attitudes toward e-learning, satisfaction of essential needs in e-learning and ethical misbehavior in a survey of 1001 students from different higher education institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Structural equation modeling analyses present-that a positive attitude toward e-learning was linked to lower levels of ethical issues, and those links were explained in part (i.e., mediated) by higher levels of the satisfaction of essential needs. In contrast, an unaccepted view about e-learning was associated with lower levels of the satisfaction of essential needs during E-learning and correspondingly higher levels of ethical misbehavior engagement. The effects are tackled in the sense of essential-need satisfaction in e-learning, principled themes, and exposure to e-learning.

It's better to give than to receive: Psychological need satisfaction mediating links between wasta (favouritism) and individuals' psychological distress

Wasta (i.e. the distribution of favours among family, friends and tribe; favouritism; nepotism) permeates numerous Middle Eastern cultures, representing a method of strengthening social ties and showing loyalty/generosity, but also representing one of the largest sources of corruption in Middle East. The current study investigated links between wasta and psychological distress in a survey of 1088 educators from Saudi Arabia. Drawing from the self-determination theory (SDT) conceptual framework, Structural Equation Modeling analyses suggested that benefitting from wasta was linked to higher levels of psychological distress and those links were explained in part (i.e. mediated) by lower levels of autonomy, competency and relatedness. In contrast, providing wasta was associated with higher levels of need satisfaction and correspondingly lower levels of distress. Implications are discussed in terms of the SDT, discrimination and helping behaviour literatures.