Abstract
ObjectiveTo validate the German version of the Marital Offence—Specific Forgiveness Scale (MOFS‐German).BackgroundForgiveness has positive effects on several relational variables. The MOFS (Paleari et al., 2009) is a useful instrument for measuring forgiveness in romantic relationships.MethodUsing a representative sample of individuals in the German population (N = 1,396), we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and analyzed internal consistency as well as associations with other measures. Then, using a sample of couples (N = 348), we analyzed dyadic data with hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) for convergent validity and subgroup differences.ResultsThe two‐factor structure was replicated in the CFA. The dimensions Benevolence and Resentment/Avoidance showed acceptable internal consistency values, and their associations to other self‐report measures supported convergent validity. Couples in counseling reported less Benevolence and more Resentment/Avoidance than couples not in counseling, and men reported more Benevolence and less Resentment/Avoidance than women.ConclusionsFindings support the MOFS‐German's ability to assess spousal forgiveness, including differences between men and women as well as between couples in counseling and couples not in counseling.ImplicationsThe MOFS‐German may now be used in the standardized assessment of marital forgiveness by clinicians and researchers.
Published Version
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