Development of a Japanese version of the Online Moral Disengagement Scale

This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Online Moral Disengagement Scale (J-OMD) and refine its reliability and validity. A total of 406 students, aged 15 to 18 years, participated in Study 1, which assessed structural validity, measurement invariance, internal consistency, and criterion-related validity of the translated scale. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that, similar to the original English version, the J-OMD had a one-factor structure and demonstrated measurement invariance across genders. The scale exhibited strong internal consistency and criterion-related validity, showing positive correlations with traditional moral disengagement and internet trolling. Study 2 evaluated test-retest reliability over a 1-month interval with 157 of the participants. Test-retest reliability was moderate. These findings suggest that the J-OMD is a reliable and valid measure of online moral disengagement among Japanese students.