RT Article
T1 Concurrent Associations Between Callous-Unemotional Traits, Moral Disengagement, and Bullying Perpetration in Adolescence
JF Journal of interpersonal violence
VO 40
IS 5/6
SP 1459
OP 1483
A1 Thornberg, Robert
A2 Wänström, Linda
A2 Sjögren, Björn
A2 Pozzoli, Tiziana
A2 Gini, Gianluca
LA English
YR 2025
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1916620957
AB The aim of the current study was twofold. The first aim was to examine whether callous-unemotional (CU) traits are directly related to moral disengagement and bullying perpetration as well as whether CU traits are indirectly related to bullying perpetration mediated by moral disengagement among adolescents. The second aim was to examine whether the three distinct dimensions of CU—callousness, uncaringness, and unemotionality—are directly related to moral disengagement and bullying perpetration, as well as whether they are indirectly related to bullying perpetration mediated by moral disengagement among adolescents. Self-report survey data from 706 adolescents (Mage = 14.5) from 20 schools in Sweden were gathered and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings suggest that CU traits were positively and directly linked to bullying perpetration, but also indirectly mediated by moral disengagement. Similarly, callousness and uncaringness showed direct and indirect associations with bullying perpetration, whereas unemotionality was found to be only indirectly associated with bullying perpetration. Unemotionality had the weakest connection to moral disengagement and was not directly related to bullying perpetration, whereas callousness, in particular, but also uncaringness, had stronger connections to moral disengagement and bullying perpetration. In sum, the findings underscore the importance of explicitly integrating moral considerations into endeavors aimed at preventing school bullying among adolescents.
K1 unemotionality
K1 uncaringness
K1 callousness
K1 callous-unemotional traits
K1 Moral Disengagement
K1 Bullying
DO 10.1177/08862605241260007