Mediating Role of Self-Concept in Moral Development and Risk-taking Behaviours among Children

Abstract

Present study was done to investigate the mediating role of self-concept in
moral development and risk-taking behavior among children. Aim of the
study was to explore the role of self-concept as a mediator between moral
development and risk-taking behavior among children. Study was done on
the sample size of 300 children. Sample of the study was selected though
purposive-convenient sampling technique. Sample was selected from the
government and private schools of Rawalpindi. Moral development was
measured through Bandura scale for moral disengagement. Self-concept
of the children was measured using Braken scale for self-concept and risk
-behaviors among children were measured through sensation seeking scale
by zakerman. It was hypothesized that self-concept act as mediator
between moral development and risk-taking behaviors among children.
Data was statistically analyzed through using SPSS. Result of our study
showed that self-concept is a strong mediator of moral development and
risk-taking behavior among children. Furthermore, our study revealed that
self-concept is a strong predictor of moral justification, distortion of
possible consequences, diffusion of responsibility, dehumanization and
attribution of blame. Our study also revealed that girls scored significantly
high on moral justification, distortion of possible consequences and
diffusion of responsibility whereas boys scored significantly high on the
risk-taking behaviors. Our findings have strong implications for child
psychopathology.