The psychological foundations of moral disengagement: the dynamic relationships between state desperation, psychological flexibility, and mental well-being.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Moral disengagement has been linked to unethical behaviors in sport, yet the mechanisms through which acute psychological states, such as state desperation, influence these behaviors remain underexplored, particularly among professional athletes.

Objective

This study investigated the serial mediating role of psychological flexibility and mental well-being levels in the relationship between state desperation and moral disengagement behaviors among professional footballers.

Methods

The study was a cross-sectional study and included 474 voluntarily participating professional football players who played in professional leagues across Turkey in the 2024-2025 season and were selected by a convenience sampling method. Participants completed a demographic form and

SUBMITTER: Turan MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12813158 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature