Translation, reliability, and validity of the Chinese version of the Moral Identity Scale in a sample of male offenders

ABSTRACT

Moral identity is crucial in offenders’ moral rehabilitation, yet no validated measure exists for Chinese male offenders. The present study translated the Moral Identity Scale (MIS) and examined its construct validity and reliability in Chinese male offenders (n = 542). A confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable fit for the data. The convergent validity was demonstrated by its significant positive correlations with the Moral-self subscale of the Moral Identity Questionnaire. Furthermore, MIS displayed negative correlations with Amorality and Moral Disengagement, and positive correlations with Moral Attitude, Empathic Concern, and Moral Responsibility, indicating a good nomological validity. Regarding discriminant validity, the revised MIS exhibited nonsignificant or weak correlations with Social Desirability and Retributive Justice Expectations, while the two subscales exhibited distinct correlations with Imagination with Sympathy and Perceived Social Injustice. The test-retest reliability over 4 weeks was .68 (n=113). These findings underscore the reliability and validity of the revised MIS.

KEYWORDS:

• Moral identity
• offenders
• Moral Identity Scale
• scale revision

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The concept and study design were formed by ZP. Q and XF. D. Data acquisition was conducted by ZM. Z, JJ. B, B. G., JC. J, and ZP.Q. Data analysis and explanation was conducted by XF. D and ZP.Q. Drafting of the manuscript and figures was contributed by XF. The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Certain Prison in China for supporting this research. Due to confidentiality reasons, the exact name of the institution cannot be disclosed.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2024.2377165

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by The Project of Cultivation for young top-notch Talents of Beijing Municipal Institution [grant number BPHR202203116].