Keywords
factorial validity
reliability
mechanisms of moral disengagement
adolescents
How to Cite
Abstract
The construct of moral disengagement has relevant consequences in the study of several psychosocial phenomena. Due to the lack of the psychometric characteristics of the Bandura’s Moral Disengagement Scale among Mexican populations, the purpose of this research was to examine the scale’s factorial validity and reliability. As a core hypothesis, it was considered that this scale could keep the structural dimensions reported in the original version as well as the combination of the eight mechanisms proposed by Bandura in a second order factor. The sample included 480 undergraduate students from three public universities. Results showed that the model with a first order factor structure in its version adapted to Spanish, including the original 32 items, revealed acceptable psychometric characteristics; however, the second order model showed a better variability in the scores of the 27 items. All items had an appropriate value regarding the goodness-of-fit indices, as well as an appropriate explained variability both in women and in men. The reliability of this scale revealed an internal consistency (α = .89). In conclusion, this scale is a valid and reliable instrument to measure moral disengagement in the general population.
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