The mediating effect of basic psychological needs on the relationship between communication climate and workplace loneliness

The aim of this research is to determine to what extent and in what direction the basic psychological needs interact in the relationship between organizational communication climate, which is in interaction with many variables, especially organizational culture, and loneliness experienced by employees in the workplace. A mixed approach including descriptive research model, relational model and comparative model was used within the scope of quantitative paradigm. The application of the research was carried out in a state and a foundation university. In the data collection process; Demographic Information Form, Communication Climate Inventory, Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction at Work Scale and Loneliness at Work Scale were used. The data obtained from a sum of 255 individuals were analyzed within the study. The model constructed in view of the research was tested separately for the state and the foundation university, and separately for samples of senior and junior academicians. It has been determined that supportive communication climate in both state and foundation universities reduces emotional deprivation and social isolation by increasing basic needs satisfaction, while defensive communication climate increases emotional deprivation and social isolation in both state and foundation universities. In the sample of senior academics, the indirect effect between supportive and defensive communication climate and emotional deprivation and social isolation was found to be insignificant. In the sample of junior academicians, on the other hand, it has been determined that supportive communication climate increases basic needs satisfaction and reduces emotional deprivation and social isolation, while defensive communication climate increases emotional deprivation and social isolation.