Doctrine-Shaped Trait Forgiveness and Relationship Satisfaction in People who Identify as Christians — A Multiple Mediation Analysis

Abstract

Despite increasing attention to the study of forgiveness, little consideration has been imparted to the act of forgiving as a religiously shaped path towards relationship satisfaction. This study examines (1) whether a person’s doctrine-shaped trait forgiveness (DTF) is positively associated with relationship satisfaction; and (2) whether two dimensions of offense-specific forgiveness — benevolence and resentment–avoidance — mediate this association. Using structural equation modeling, we analyzed cross-sectional data of an adult German sample (N = 980), all of whom stated their affiliation to a Christian church. The analysis of the non-mediator model indicated a positive direct path between DTF and relationship satisfaction (β = 0.123). Computing the mediation effects, we found a significant, positive total effect of DTF on relationship satisfaction (β = 0.129). Our findings suggest indirect paths between DTF and relationship satisfaction through resentment–avoidance (β = 0.074) and benevolence (β = 0.021). Neither gender nor denomination effects emerged within the invariance analyses. The results supported the assumption that individuals with a higher level of DTF also experience greater satisfaction in their intimate relationships, by engaging in less resentful and avoidant as well as more benevolent behavior.