Moral disengagement in youth: A meta-analytic review

Abstract

Moral disengagement enables individuals to enact behavior contrary to their moral standards without remorse. Although associations between moral disengagement and transgressions are widely studied, the process occurs in the context of personal and environmental factors that may increase or suppress its enlistment. Understanding potential moderators provide insight into how moral disengagement enables transgressions, and offers possible areas of intervention to decrease its enlistment. This review integrates research examining moral disengagement within a social cognitive theory framework from which it is part. Within the 157 eligible studies (N = 118,501) investigating moral disengagement and a related construct, 35 distinct correlates of moral disengagement were identified. Random-effects meta-analyses identified significant associations between moral disengagement and transgressive behavior, and additionally identified personal (e.g., self-efficacy; empathy) and environmental factors (e.g., parental monitoring; peer rejection) that may moderate its enlistment. Findings highlight the importance of considering intrapsychic and societal influences associated with moral disengagement when enacting transgressions. Theoretical considerations and suggestions for future research are also proposed.