Assessing the Relationship between Prosocial Behavior and Well-Being: Basic Psychological Need as the Mediator

Linwei Li; Aqeel Khan; Mohd Rustam Mohd Rameli

doi:10.3390/ejihpe13100153

Assessing the Relationship between Prosocial Behavior and Well-Being: Basic Psychological Need as the Mediator

Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2023 Oct 7;13(10):2179-2191. doi: 10.3390/ejihpe13100153.

Authors

Linwei Li¹, Aqeel Khan¹, Mohd Rustam Mohd Rameli¹

Affiliation

¹ Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.

Abstract

Previous research has established a positive link between prosocial behavior (PB) and psychological well-being. However, limited studies have explored the relationship between PB and well-being (WB), particularly among vocational students. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms, including mediating factors, remain understudied in this context. This study aimed to investigate the association between PB and WB among vocational students while examining the mediating role of basic psychological needs. A sample of 221 vocational students (mean age = 19.68 years, SD = 1.57) completed anonymous questionnaires assessing PB, basic psychological needs, and WB. The results revealed a positive correlation between PB and WB in vocational students (r = 0.22, p < 0.01), with basic psychological needs partially mediating this relationship (β = 0.14, t = 10.85, p < 0.001, 95% CI = (0.18, 0.23)). These findings enhance our understanding of the association between PB and vocational students' WB, shed light on the mechanisms involved, and offer insights into promoting the well-being of vocational students.

Keywords: basic psychological needs; prosocial behavior; vocational students; well-being.

Grants and funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak under the Collaborative Research Grant (Q.J130000.2453.09G09 and R.J130000.7353.4B541). The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia or Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.