The mediating role of moral maturity in relationship between attachment style and moral behaviors

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD, Educational Psychology, Shiraz University.

2 PhD, Associate Professor, Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shiraz University.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explain the mediating role of moral maturity (moral metacognition, moral identity, and moral efficacy) in relation attachment style to moral behaviors. The research method was a descriptive correlational method. The statistical population consisted of undergraduate students at Yasouj University in the academic year of 2016-2017. 524 students were selected using multistage cluster random sampling method. For collecting data, Attachment Styles Scale (Hazen & Shaver, 1987), Moral Metacognition Scale (McMahon & Good, 2015), Self-Importance of Moral Identity Scale (Aquino & Reed, 2002), Moral Efficacy Questionnaire (Hannah & Avolio, 2010) and Moral Behaviors Inventory (Sabet et al., 2015) were used. To analyze data, structural equation modeling method was used by AMOS software. The findings of research showed that secure attachment style with the mediation of all components of moral maturity, including moral metacognition and internalization and symbolization of moral identity and moral efficacy have an indirect and positive effect on moral behaviors. The ambivalence attachment style through two dimensions: moral metacognition and internalization of moral identity had an indirect and negative effect on moral behaviors. Also, the avoidant attachment style with the mediation of internalization moral identity effected moral behavior, indirectly and negatively. In addition, secure attachment style and ambivalence attachment style showed respectively, direct and positive effect and direct and negative effect on moral behaviors. According to the results of this research, having a secure attachment will promote the moral metacognition , moral identity and moral efficacy, thereby facilitating moral behavior.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Modern Psychological Researches
Volume 15, Issue 57
May 2020
Pages 131-155

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History

  • Receive Date: 24 May 2019
  • Revise Date: 05 September 2019
  • Accept Date: 11 December 2019

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