Psychometric properties of the persian version of the moral orientation guilt scale in the general population

Guilt emerges from a perceived difference between people's behavior and their internalized moral principles. Due to the multidimensionality of ethics, guilt can also appear in different ways. Despite this, there is no valid tool in Iran to measure people's tendency to experience different types of guilt.

The present study investigated the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Moral Orientation Guilt Scale (MOGS) in Iranian society.

This study constituted an applied research endeavor that employed a survey approach for data collection. The research statistical population included all Iranian adults who actively engaged in social networks including Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Eitaa, from April to May 2023. A total of 662 participants were recruited through the available sampling procedure and completed research tools, including the MOGS (Mancini et al., 2022), guilt and shame proneness scale (Cohen et al., 2011), moral disgust scale (Tybur et al., 2009), and callous-unemotional traits (Frick, 2004) through an online survey. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha, and test-retest coefficient via SPSS and AMOS software.

Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the 4-factor structure of the questionnaire and showed that the model fit appropriately. The Pearson correlation coefficient between MOGS factors and other research questionnaires was positive or negative, depending on the type of scale, and significant (p< 0.01), which indicated the convergent validity of the scale. Also, the scale's internal consistency was calculated in the range of 0.65-0.84, and the test-retest coefficient of the factors (with a 2-week interval) was between 0.72–0.82, which showed that the scale has good reliability.

According to the findings, researchers can use this scale as a brief and reliable tool to evaluate people's tendency to experience different types of guilt in Iranian society.