Examining the relationship between gratitude and rumination: The mediating role of forgiveness

Abstract

Rumination can cause to negative mood by blocking a person occupying entertaining actions. Therefore, rumination can be a potential threat to the quality of life and mental health. However, forgiveness and gratitude are defined as positive personality characteristics and can serve to combat rumination. Thus, this study with 417 undergraduate students aimed to examine the effects of gratitude and forgiveness on rumination. This study also investigated the mediating role of forgiveness on the association between gratitude and rumination. In addition, the purpose of this study included exploring the mediating roles of forgiveness of self and situation on the relationship between forgiveness of others and rumination. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of gratitude and forgiveness on rumination. In addition, bootstrapping methods were employed to test the mediational effects. Results showed that forgiveness fully mediated the relationship between gratitude and rumination. Specifically, participants with higher levels of gratitude reported higher levels of forgiveness, which in turn lower levels of rumination. In addition, it was found that forgiveness of others and forgiveness of self fully mediated the association between forgiveness of others and rumination. The results along with implications were discussed.