University of Tabriz Journal of Modern Psychological Researches 2322-3340 20 78 2025 06 22 The Mediating Role of the Empathy in the Relationship Between Effortful Control and Moral Identity with Antisocial Behaviors in Adolescents The Mediating Role of the Empathy in the Relationship Between Effortful Control and Moral Identity with Antisocial Behaviors in Adolescents 145 159 19853 10.22034/jmpr.2025.64895.6569 FA Sara Taravian MSc in Educational Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran Fariborz Nikdel Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran Ali Taghvaei Nia Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran Journal Article 2024 12 06 The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between moral identity and effortful control with antisocial behaviors among high school students in Shiraz. The statistical population included all second-level high school students in Shiraz during the 2022–2023 academic year. A sample of 567 students was selected through a multi-stage cluster random sampling method. The research instruments included the Moral Identity Questionnaire by Aquino and Reed (2002), the Effortful Control Questionnaire by Ellis and Rothbart (2001), the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (2009), and the Antisocial Behavior Questionnaire by Burt & Donnellan (2009), all of which were administered to the selected participants. The proposed model was assessed using path analysis in SPSS-24 and AMOS-24. The findings indicated that the proposed model demonstrated a good fit with the data. The direct effects of moral identity on empathy (β = 1.58, p = 0.001) and empathy on antisocial behaviors (β = -0.59, p = 0.001) were statistically significant. However, the direct effects of moral identity on antisocial behaviors (β = -0.03, p = 0.81), effortful control on empathy (β = 0.02, p = 0.92), and effortful control on antisocial behaviors (β = -0.04, p = 0.75) were not statistically significant. Additionally, the results showed that empathy played a mediating role in the relationship between moral identity and antisocial behaviors (β = -0.53, p = 0.001), whereas it did not mediate the relationship between effortful control and antisocial behaviors (β = -0.01, p = 0.91). These findings suggest that strengthening moral identity and empathy can serve as effective strategies for addressing antisocial behaviors. Enhancing these two factors can contribute to greater mutual understanding and respect within society, ultimately reducing conflicts and promoting healthier relationships. The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between moral identity and effortful control with antisocial behaviors among high school students in Shiraz. The statistical population included all second-level high school students in Shiraz during the 2022–2023 academic year. A sample of 567 students was selected through a multi-stage cluster random sampling method. The research instruments included the Moral Identity Questionnaire by Aquino and Reed (2002), the Effortful Control Questionnaire by Ellis and Rothbart (2001), the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (2009), and the Antisocial Behavior Questionnaire by Burt & Donnellan (2009), all of which were administered to the selected participants. The proposed model was assessed using path analysis in SPSS-24 and AMOS-24. The findings indicated that the proposed model demonstrated a good fit with the data. The direct effects of moral identity on empathy (β = 1.58, p = 0.001) and empathy on antisocial behaviors (β = -0.59, p = 0.001) were statistically significant. However, the direct effects of moral identity on antisocial behaviors (β = -0.03, p = 0.81), effortful control on empathy (β = 0.02, p = 0.92), and effortful control on antisocial behaviors (β = -0.04, p = 0.75) were not statistically significant. Additionally, the results showed that empathy played a mediating role in the relationship between moral identity and antisocial behaviors (β = -0.53, p = 0.001), whereas it did not mediate the relationship between effortful control and antisocial behaviors (β = -0.01, p = 0.91). These findings suggest that strengthening moral identity and empathy can serve as effective strategies for addressing antisocial behaviors. Enhancing these two factors can contribute to greater mutual understanding and respect within society, ultimately reducing conflicts and promoting healthier relationships. https://psychologyj.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_19853_1cfca31df4bf5ed9f4e5b5f5e6fe4477.pdf