Comparison of moral decision making, moral emotion expectancy, and social problem solving style in single-parent and normal students

The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to compare moral decision making, moral emotion expectancy, and social problem solving style in single-parent and normal students. The population consisted of all male and female students aged 10 to 15 years referred to Tadavom Counseling Center in Sari during three months (May, June, and July of 2017) for counseling (n=43). The sample consisted of 14 single-parent students and 18 ordinary students (based on willingness to participate and collaborate on research). In this research, we used moral riddles and social problem solving questionnaires. The data of moral decision making and prediction of moral emotions were analyzed using Chi-square test and data from social problem solving questionnaire were analyzed using independent t-test. Results showed no significant difference in moral decision-making, the predicted moral emotions and the problem solving style between single-parent and normal students. Education by parents, modeling for parents, interacting with peers, education and culture would be effective in the growth of moral emotions, moral behaviors, and the problem solving style of children.