The effects of athletes’ moral identity on clean sport behavior intentions: a cross-national study of the mediating role of moral disengagement and self-efficacy

Introduction In recent years, doping has increasingly been recognized not just as a health risk for athletes, but also as a factor undermining the credibility of sports as a whole. The scientific discussion is gradually shifting: rather than simply predicting risky behavior, there is growing emphasis on fostering a genuine “clean sport identity,” meaning a conscious commitment to shared ethical values. In this study, we draw on both Social Cognitive Theory and moral identity perspectives to explore which socio-cognitive variables may influence the intention to support ethical sporting behavior. Methods A total of 429 track and field athletes from Italy ( n = 229) and France ( n = 200) participated in the study. Participants completed validated questionnaires measuring moral identity, moral disengagement, self-regulatory efficacy, and clean sport behavior intentions. Structural equation modeling and multigroup invariance analyses were employed to test the theoretical model and examine cross-national differences. Results The results demonstrate that moral identity is negatively associated with moral disengagement and positively associated with self-regulatory efficacy. Moral disengagement was identified as the strongest predictor of clean sports behavior intentions. Mediation analysis indicated that moral identity influences clean sports behavior intentions primarily by inhibiting mechanisms of moral disengagement. When comparing groups, we observed notable cross-national differences. Specifically, the link between moral identity and moral disengagement appeared stronger among French athletes, whereas self-regulatory efficacy had a more pronounced impact on Italian athletes’ intentions to engage in clean sports behavior. Discussion These results underscore the importance of incorporating value-driven approaches and fostering moral identity within anti-doping interventions. Preventive strategies should focus on minimizing cognitive rationalizations for unethical conduct and strengthening athletes’ ability to self-regulate when facing external pressures, ultimately supporting a long-term dedication to clean sport.