Active and Passive Moral Disengagement in Adolescents: Associations with Psychological Difficulties and Prosocial Behaviour

The aim of this study was to examine the role of active and passive mechanisms of moral disengagement in adolescent difficulties through a new instrument with realistic scenarios: the Attitude to Moral Disengagement Scale (AMDS). A sample of 184 adolescents aged 14–16 years was recruited. All participants also completed the Moral Disengagement Scale (MDS) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The AMDS showed satisfactory reliability and convergent validity with the MDS. The AMDS showed positive correlations with risk factors and negative correlations with protective factors of adolescent difficulties. Specifically, conduct problems, peer relationship problems, and hyperactivity/inattention were associated with higher levels of active moral disengagement, whereas prosocial behaviors were linked to lower levels. Conduct problems and emotional symptoms were uniquely linked to passive moral disengagement. The results highlighted how emotional and behavioral difficulties relate to different disengagement strategies, while prosocial behaviors play an important protective role. Practical insights and crucial information for targeted preventive interventions are discussed.