The Role of Identity Development and Moral Reasoning in Predicting Prosocial Behavior

Objective: This study aimed to examine the role of identity development and moral reasoning in predicting prosocial behavior among adolescents in Peru. Methods and Materials: The research employed a descriptive correlational design involving 350 adolescents from urban areas in Peru, selected using convenience sampling based on Morgan and Krejcie’s table. Data were collected using standardized measurement tools: the Prosocial Behavior Scale (Carlo & Randall, 2002), the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire (Balistreri et al., 1995), and the Defining Issues Test-2 (Rest et al., 1999). Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were conducted using SPSS-27 to examine relationships between identity development, moral reasoning, and prosocial behavior. Findings: Descriptive analyses indicated moderately high mean scores for prosocial behavior (M = 3.78, SD = 0.67), identity development (M = 4.12, SD = 0.56), and moral reasoning (M = 4.25, SD = 0.52). Significant positive correlations emerged between prosocial behavior and identity development (r = 0.59, p < 0.01) and moral reasoning (r = 0.62, p < 0.01). Regression analysis revealed identity development (β = 0.29, p < 0.01) and moral reasoning (β = 0.36, p < 0.01) as significant predictors of prosocial behavior, explaining 41% of the variance (R² = 0.41, F(2,347) = 119.48, p < 0.01). Moral reasoning was the stronger predictor. Conclusion: Identity development and moral reasoning significantly predicted adolescents' prosocial behavior, with moral reasoning showing greater predictive strength. These findings emphasize the importance of fostering adolescents' moral reasoning and identity formation to promote prosocial behaviors, suggesting practical implications for educational and psychological interventions.