Moral disengagement and violence in adolescent and young dating relationships: An exploratory study

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between the mechanisms of moral disengagement and adolescent dating violence. The effects of moral disengagement, sex and age on perceived dating violence (perpetration/victimization) were analyzed. Accordingly, 72 (50% females) subjects ranging from 16 to 25 years of age (M = 19.01, SD = 2.15) were assessed using the Moral Disengagement Scale (MDS) and the Modified Version of the Conflict Tactics Scale (M-CTS). The results show a pattern of reciprocal violence among couples, and a significant relationship between moral disengagement mechanisms and dating violence depending on sex (males) and age (younger participants). Moreover, the relationship between moral justification and victimized aggression was significantly moderated by dehumanization.