Slovak validation of the Enright Forgiveness Inventory-30

Abstract

Objectives. In recent years, interpersonal forgiveness has become a focus in psychology research. The Enright Forgiveness Inventory-30 (EFI-30) was developed to assess situational forgiveness toward someone who has hurt us deeply and unjustly. The goal of this study is to validate the Slovak version of the EFI-30, which was translated by the authors, on a representative sample of the Slovak population (in terms of gender and age). Sample and settings. Data were collected on a representative Slovak sample (n=1209 participants: 50.4% women and 49.6% men) in the productive age from 18 to 65 years (M=41.22, SD=12.78). Statistical analyses. The data obtained from the 30-item scale were subjected to a factor analysis using the Maximum Likelihood method. The internal consistency of the subscales and the EFI-30 was measured. Criterion validity was assessed by correlations with the Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory–18-Item Version and the Forgiveness of Others subscale from the Heartland Forgiveness Scale. Construct validity was assessed by correlations with well-being, happiness, depression, anxiety, and anger. Results. Items relating to the affective, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions of forgiveness were saturated with a single common factor. The short pseudo-forgiveness subscale formed a specific factor that correlated negatively with forgiveness. The EFI-30 results obtained by persons scoring high on the pseudo-forgiveness scale were therefore excluded from the analysis. The questionnaire had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > 0.9), good criterion validity (high correlations with other forgiveness scales) and good construct validity (positive relationships with well-being and happiness, negative ones with anxiety, depression, and anger).