Moral Disengagement in Children: A Multidimensional Psychometric Validation Enhanced by Visual Illustrations

The present study aimed to adapt and validate the psychometric properties of the Moral Disengagement Scale for Children (MDS-C) by employing an innovative approach that integrates illustrative visual stimuli specifically designed for Brazilian children. A total of 244 participants aged 7 to 12 years from public schools took part in the research. To establish evidence of validity, the adapted scale was administered together with the Empathy Scale for Children and Adolescents (EECA) and the Attachment in Friendship Relationships (AFR/ARA), thereby creating a concurrent validation framework. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Similarity Structure Analysis (SSA) supported a three-dimensional structure of moral disengagement, which diverged from the original unidimensional model but converged with previous Brazilian validations among youth and adults. The findings highlight the psychometric soundness of the adapted version, demonstrating adequate internal consistency and strong construct validity, as evidenced by significant correlations with empathy and attachment insecurity. Furthermore, the study underscores the innovative incorporation of visual illustrations in assessing moral disengagement—an approach that enhances cognitive accessibility and response reliability among young children. Given the limited availability of validated instruments for this construct in childhood, the current adaptation constitutes a significant advancement in developmental psychology, moral education, and intervention programs. Future research should explore its cross-cultural generalizability and developmental sensitivity across age cohorts.