Structural Modeling of Competence-cultural Relationships and Professional Ethics of Elementary Teachers with the Mediating Role of Social Support

Various factors including cultural competences and social support affect teachers' professional ethics. This study intended to model structural relationships, cultural competence, and elementary teachers' professional ethics with the mediating role of social support.

This descriptive-correlational research was conducted using structural equation modeling. The population consisted of 2100 elementary school teachers of Tabriz, out of which 325 teachers were selected, and structural equation modeling was used to answer the valid questionnaires on cultural competence, professional ethics, and social support . Data analysis was done with SPSS 26 and SMART PLS 3 software.

The results of the research showed that the model has a good fit and cultural competences and social support were directly, positively, and significantly (P < 0.01) able to predict professional ethics. Moreover, the mediating role of social support in the relationship between cultural competencies and professional ethics was positive and significant (P < 0.01).

Based on the results, it can be said that paying attention to cultural competencies and social support can lead to to the development of professional ethics. In addition to these results, it can create novel insights for policy makers and educational planners in the development of professional ethics.