Devina Puspa Anggraini, Etik Darul Muslikah, Eben Ezer Nainggolan

The Role of Moral Engagement in the Relationship Between Locus of Control and Intention to Commit Corruption among University Students

Introduction

The role of moral engagement in the relationship between locus of control and intention to commit corruption among university students. Analyze how locus of control and moral engagement impact university students' corruption intentions. Moral engagement mediates this link, proving crucial in prevention.

Abstract

The increasing tendency of integrity-violating behaviors among university students such as academic dishonesty and the normalization of unethical actions demonstrates the urgency of understanding psychological factors that may foster corrupt intentions from an early stage in higher education. This study aims to analyze the relationship between locus of control and intention to corruption and to examine the mediating role of moral engagement. A total of 350 students from public and private universities in Surabaya participated through a convenience sampling technique. Mediation analysis using linear regression showed that internal locus of control decreases intention to corruption (β = –0.088, p = 0.045), whereas the external dimensions, powerful others and chance, increase it (β = 0.526; β = 0.247; p < 0.001). Internal locus of control increases moral engagement (β = 0.299, p < 0.001), while the two external dimensions reduce it. When moral engagement is included as a mediator, the effect of internal locus of control becomes non-significant, whereas moral engagement consistently shows a strong negative effect on intention to corruption (β = –0.462, p < 0.001). These findings highlight that moral engagement plays a crucial role in preventing corrupt behavioral tendencies among university students.

Review

This manuscript addresses a timely and critical issue concerning the psychological underpinnings of corrupt intentions among university students, a demographic where early intervention can have significant societal impact. The study effectively investigates the relationship between locus of control and the intention to commit corruption, with a particular focus on the mediating role of moral engagement. The initial findings presented in the abstract suggest a valuable contribution to understanding the mechanisms through which individual psychological orientations influence susceptibility to corruption, emphasizing the protective role of moral engagement. Methodologically, the study employs mediation analysis via linear regression on a sample of 350 university students, providing robust statistical evidence for its claims. The differentiation of locus of control into internal, powerful others, and chance dimensions offers a nuanced perspective, revealing that while internal locus of control reduces corrupt intentions, external dimensions significantly amplify them. Crucially, the abstract clearly details how internal locus of control positively influences moral engagement, and how, in turn, moral engagement consistently demonstrates a strong negative effect on the intention to commit corruption, effectively mediating the direct link from internal locus of control. The precise reporting of beta coefficients and p-values in the abstract lends credibility to the reported statistical relationships. The findings carry significant implications for the development of targeted interventions and educational programs aimed at fostering integrity among university students. By highlighting moral engagement as a crucial preventative factor, the research suggests that educational strategies should focus on cultivating a stronger sense of moral responsibility and ethical decision-making. While the convenience sampling technique and specific geographical context (Surabaya) might limit the immediate generalizability, this study provides a strong foundation for future research. Subsequent studies could explore the long-term effects of such interventions, examine cultural variations in these relationships, and investigate additional moderating or mediating factors that influence the development of corrupt intentions. This work is a commendable step towards understanding and addressing the prevalence of unethical behaviors in higher education.

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