Moral development and parenting styles: the mediating role of emotional skills

The present study aimed to analyze the influence of parenting styles on the emergence of emotional competencies, which influence moral disengagement mechanisms. We hypothesized that empathy and emotional regulation skills would mediate between parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive styles) and moral disengagement mechanisms. The study involved 501 young people (aged 19–25), and the dimensions examined were: parenting styles, alexithymia, difficulties in emotion regulation strategies, and moral disengagement. Similarity Structure Analysis (SSA) showed a significant relationship between parenting style, emotional skills and moral disengagement measures. Moreover, mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of authoritative style on moral disengagement through alexithymia and emotional dysregulation. The results revealed a significant indirect effect of authoritative style on moral disengagement through emotional dysregulation but not alexithymia. Finally, the results showed a significant indirect effect of permissive style on moral disengagement through alexithymia and emotional dysregulation.