Italian Adaptation and Psychometric Analysis of the Moral Foundations Questionnaire 2

Introduction: Within the framework of Moral Foundations Theory (MFT; Haidt & Graham, 2007; Haidt & Joseph, 2004), the Moral Foundations Questionnaire 2 (MFQ-2; Atari et al., 2023) was designed as an updated and improved version of the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ; Graham et al., 2008; Graham et al., 2011). Objective: The aim of the present study is to present the Italian adaptation of the MFQ-2 and discuss its psychometric properties for a broader and more comprehensive understanding of the cross-cultural applicability of MFT. Methodology: In 2023, data was collected from 947 Italian adults using the snowball sampling technique. The survey, conducted through Qualtrics, included questions on sociodemographic information and the MFQ-1 and MFQ-2 scales. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the six-factor solution, corresponding to the structure proposed for MFQ-2 by Atari and colleagues (2023). The scale shows good reliability, with McDonald's Omega and Cronbach's Alpha coefficients reaching acceptable thresholds. Convergent validity was established through correlation analyses between the dimensions of MFQ-2 and MFQ-1: strong positive associations indicate consistency between the two versions, affirming the convergent validity of MFQ-2. MGCFA analyses revealed that the questionnaire exhibits configural invariance across genders and metric invariance across different age groups. Gender differences suggest the need for targeted investigations, while age-related distinctions indicate differing perceptions of some items between younger and older participants, warranting further exploration. Conclusions: Despite its limitations, this study provides valuable insights into the adaptation of MFQ-2 within the Italian cultural context, contributing to a broader understanding of moral foundations.