Moral identity development across middle childhood and adolescence

In moral psychology, moral identity has been viewed as a central explanatory construct in moral development linking morality and action. However, less is known about its development across the lifespan. The present dissertation aimed to address the limitations of previous research by using the personological approach to better understand how the multifaceted construct of moral identity develops from the understudied period of middle childhood to adolescence. The dissertation is separated into three chapters that can be considered as three research topics framed within one study tapping into the different layers of moral identity (see Krettenauer & Hertz, 2015). All chapters were derived from the same sample of 190 participants (101 females, M=13.00 years, SD=2.58) from three age groups of approximately equal size: middle childhood (Grades 4-5; n=65), early adolescence (Grades 7-8; n=68), and midadolescence (Grades 10-11; n=57). The first chapter examined the self-importance and context-specificity of moral values (trait layer of moral identity). Age-related patterns were found on this layer of moral identity and parental support was a positive predictor of moral identity. The second chapter focused on moral identity motivation (characteristic adaptations layer of moral identity) and as expected, moral identity motivation varied by both age and social context, and was also predictive of moral behaviour. The third chapter focused on narrative accounts of past morally relevant behaviour (narrative layer of moral identity). Results revealed meaningful asymmetries in participants’ experiences and interpretations of past (im)moral action that varied by age and context. MORAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT ii Overall, the present dissertation demonstrated the utility of the personological approach to moral identity development with each layer of moral identity manifesting differentially throughout the lifespan. Importantly, the dissertation provided evidence that moral identity development is context-dependent, begins to emerge in middle childhood perhaps as a social moral identity, and progresses to be more autonomous with age. MORAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT iii Acknowledgements This dissertation is the result of the efforts of many individuals who have supported and encouraged me throughout this journey. I am extremely grateful for the conversations and experiences over these last several years that have contributed to my personal, professional, and academic growth. It took a village to support me and now that I have successfully navigated this academic journey, I’d like to acknowledge those who have especially fostered my growth. I would first like to thank my committee, Dr. Kim Roberts, Dr. Colleen Loomis, Dr. Carolyn Fitzgerald, and Dr. Charles Helwig for their influential support and helpful feedback throughout the dissertation process and for making the experience an enjoyable one. Thank you for especially encouraging me to further my perspective and interpretations about my research from multiple lenses. In particular, I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Tobias Krettenauer, who has remarkably ensured my success and growth as a graduate student. Thank you for all your encouragement, for always believing in me, and for always allowing me to express my interests and thoughts. I know that this dissertation would not be what it was without your guidance. To my mentors, Dr. Keith Adamson and Dr. Michael Pratt, who have continued to advance my professional and personal growth. Mike, thank you for introducing me to the value of narratives and storytelling, as well as for the endless kindness you’ve shown me since we first met and collaborated. Keith, thank you for being my greatest mentor and for shaping me to be a confident individual both professionally and personally. Your leadership and friendship is invaluable and it is a privilege to have you in my life. MORAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT iv To my Laurier friends and lab mates in the Morality, Self, and Emotions Lab (MSEL), thank you for your support and help over the years, especially to overcome the imposter syndrome we all felt and still sometimes experience. Thank you especially to Fanli, Joanna, Sam, and Jessy for making these years so enjoyable and conferences so memorable. Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank my incredible family and friends. My amazing parents, Bounnoy and Phonoy, as well as brothers, Andrew and Johnny, my soon-to-be in-laws, David and JoAnne, and sister, Elizabeth for always encouraging and instilling in me that I can do anything I put my mind to and to always follow my dreams and pursue my goals. To my fiancé, Charlie, thank you for being my advocate and my person since we were 17 years-old. Thank you for encouraging me to pursue my PhD and continuing to make my dreams come true. Thank you to the Sengsavang and Gilmer families, as well as my chosen family of friends for their unconditional love and support, and for especially keeping me sane and focused when I thought the end was never in sight. I could have never achieved this without you all and cannot imagine this experience and my life without you. Thank you! MORAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT v