Structural Equation Model of bystander’s behavior of bullying in school based on moral disengagement and moral sensitivity with the mediation role of empathy

The purpose of this study is to designing the Structural Equation Model of bystander’s behavior of bullying in school based on moral disengagement and moral sensitivity with the mediation role of empathy. The target population of this study was male and female secondary school students in Lorestan province in the year of 2018-2019. The total of 617 students were selected through cluster sampling. Participants responded to the scale of Mechanisms of Moral Disengagement Scale (MMDS), Ethical Sensitivity Scale, Participant Role Scales and Self-Importance of Basic Empathy Scale (BES). The results showed that the research model with the research data was good fitness and acceptable. The results of structural equation modeling shows that moral disengagement and moral sensitivity associated with bystander’s behavior. In other words, those who have high moral disengagement and low moral sensitivity behave more harmfully. In addition, the results indicate that empathy have a mediator role in relation between bystander’s behavior of bullying in school, moral disengagement and moral sensitivity. n total, seems that empathy can serve as a mediator or mechanism in the relationship between moral disengagement, moral sensitivity, and bystander’s behavior of during bullying, resulting in more positive outcomes and fewer negative outcomes for individuals.