Malang – Moral emotions such as empathy, guilt, shame, and moral pride do not emerge automatically at birth. Instead, they develop gradually through a complex process influenced by age, cognitive maturity, family relationships, school experiences, and cultural values. This finding was reported by Prada Nia Noprianti, Iswinarti, and Yuni Nurhamida from Muhammadiyah University of Malang in a study published in 2026 in the International Journal of Scientific Multidisciplinary Research (IJSMR). Through a systematic literature review, the researchers concluded that moral emotions are shaped by dynamic interactions between internal characteristics and external social environments throughout childhood and adolescence.
Moral emotions play a fundamental role in children's psychological and social development because they connect an individual's understanding of right and wrong with real-life behavior. When children feel guilty after breaking a rule, empathize with a friend who is upset, or experience pride after doing something good, these emotional responses guide them toward prosocial behavior. Unlike basic emotions such as fear or anger, moral emotions develop through social experiences, interpersonal interactions, and the gradual internalization of moral values learned from family, school, and society.
To understand how moral emotions are formed, the researchers conducted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) following the PRISMA guidelines. They initially identified 200 scientific articles through Google Scholar using keywords related to moral emotions in children and adolescents. After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts based on predetermined inclusion criteria, only 13 empirical studies were selected for the final review. The PRISMA flow diagram presented in the article illustrates each stage of the selection process, demonstrating how the researchers systematically narrowed the literature to the most relevant evidence.
The review found that age and cognitive development provide the primary foundation for the growth of moral emotions. As children mature, they become increasingly capable of understanding cause-and-effect relationships, considering situations from other people's perspectives, and recognizing the moral consequences of their own actions. These cognitive abilities enable children to experience emotions such as guilt after violating social norms or pride after behaving in morally appropriate ways.
Among all influencing factors, empathy emerged as one of the strongest predictors of moral emotional development. Children who can understand and share the feelings of others are more likely to engage in prosocial behaviors, including helping, sharing, and avoiding actions that may harm others. The review also emphasizes that empathy is not simply an innate personal trait but develops through continuous interactions with parents, caregivers, peers, and broader social experiences.
Another essential factor is emotion regulation. Children who can manage negative emotions effectively are better able to transform feelings of guilt into motivation to correct mistakes and learn from their experiences. Conversely, poor emotional regulation may reduce empathy and increase the likelihood of maladaptive emotional responses. These findings suggest that healthy moral development depends not only on experiencing emotions but also on learning how to regulate them appropriately.
The review further identifies individual characteristics such as justice sensitivity, personality traits, self-regulation, and moral identity as important contributors to moral emotional development. Children and adolescents who are highly sensitive to fairness tend to respond more strongly when witnessing moral violations. During adolescence, moral values become increasingly integrated into personal identity, allowing moral emotions to influence long-term decision-making and character formation rather than functioning merely as immediate emotional reactions.
The family environment was identified as one of the most influential external factors. Warm, responsive, and supportive relationships between parents and children foster empathy while helping children internalize moral values. In contrast, harsh, controlling, or emotionally distant parenting practices may hinder the healthy development of moral emotions. The researchers emphasize the importance of open communication and parenting approaches that explain the moral consequences of children's behavior rather than relying solely on punishment.
Schools and broader social environments also play significant roles in shaping moral emotions. Interactions with peers, discussions about moral dilemmas, cooperative games, and social-emotional learning programs all contribute to children's empathy, emotional regulation, and prosocial behavior. Cultural values further influence how moral emotions are expressed. Collectivist societies tend to emphasize emotions such as empathy and shame that promote group harmony, whereas individualistic cultures place greater emphasis on guilt associated with personal responsibility.
The review also highlights that adverse experiences such as violence and neglect can disrupt moral emotional development and increase the risk of unhealthy emotional responses. Conversely, positive experiences that encourage gratitude, forgiveness, and moral reflection contribute to stronger psychological well-being and healthier social relationships throughout childhood and adolescence.
According to Prada Nia Noprianti and colleagues, developing moral emotions requires a comprehensive approach involving families, schools, and communities. Parents are encouraged to adopt warm, responsive, and consistent parenting practices, avoid harsh disciplinary methods, and maintain open communication with their children. Strengthening collaboration between families and educational institutions is also considered essential for helping children internalize moral values from an early age.
Overall, the study concludes that moral emotions are not acquired instantly but emerge through a lifelong developmental process shaped by biological, psychological, social, and cultural influences. By providing supportive environments that nurture empathy, emotional regulation, and moral understanding, children and adolescents are more likely to grow into compassionate, responsible, and morally grounded individuals.
Author Profile
Prada Nia Noprianti – Muhammadiyah University of Malang, Indonesia.
Iswinarti – Muhammadiyah University of Malang, Indonesia.
Yuni Nurhamida – Muhammadiyah University of Malang, Indonesia.
Research Source
Article Title: Factors Forming Moral Emotions in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review.
Journal: International Journal of Scientific Multidisciplinary Research (IJSMR), Vol. 4, No. 7, 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijsmr.v4i7.99
Journal Website: https://journalijsmr.my.id/index.php/ijsmr
0 Komentar