The Impact of Self-Directed, Other-Directed, and Dual Moral Transgressions on Emotional, Cognitive, and Clinical Outcomes in Emerging Adults

OBJECTIVE: Stressful events can cause individuals to act contrary to their moral standards, resulting in moral transgressions. Two types of moral transgressions are commonly distinguished: actively committing moral transgressions or failing to prevent harm to others (self-directed transgressions) and being exposed to the moral transgressions of others (other-directed transgressions). Evidence suggests that self-directed and other-directed moral transgressions lead to different psychological outcomes. However, this evidence is inconclusive, primarily based on clinical populations, and lacks a developmental perspective, including a focus on emerging adults.

METHOD: In this study, young adults recalled a memory of a morally distressing event, encompassing self-directed, other-directed, or dual transgressions. We compared the three groups reporting these transgressions in terms of emotions (fear, shame, guilt, and anger), negative cognitions (about self-blame, the self, and the world), and clinical outcomes (posttraumatic stress [PTS] and depression). Additionally, we explored the variables fear, negative cognitions about self-blame, the self, and the world as potential mediators between exposure to self-directed, other-directed, or dual transgressions and PTS.

RESULTS: It was shown that exposure to dual transgressions results in elevated emotional and cognitive burden compared to self- or other-directed transgressions alone. Mediation analyses revealed that, compared to self-directed and other-directed transgressions, participants reporting dual transgressions exhibited more negative self- and world cognitions, which were associated with increased PTS.

CONCLUSION: This study concludes that it is useful-both in research and clinical care-to distinguish between self-directed, other-directed, and dual transgressions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).