The mediating role of gratitude and forgiveness in the sense of coherence and values-based action

Abstract

Objective. The aim of the research study was to determine the mediation value of gratitude and forgiveness in the relationship between the sense of coherence and acting in accordance with the given principles. In order to answer the research interest, a predictive model of mediating effects was constructed.
 Material and method. The research study was conducted amongst 330 people aged 18 to 65, 284 women (86.1%) and 46 men (13.9%). The SOC-29 Life Orientation Questionnaire was used to measure the independent variable of sense of coherence. The mediating variables of gratitude and forgiveness were examined using the GQ Gratitude Questionnaire by McCullough, Emmons, Tsang and the Inventory of Interpersonal Motivation in Harm Situations TRIM-18 by McCullough et al. The dependent variable of Values-Consistent Actions was measured using the Values-Consistent Actions (VQ) questionnaire by Smout, Davies, Burns and Christie. The SPSS v4.2 program was used in the analysis and mediation in R environement & Iavaan.
 Results. It has been demonstrated that gratitude mediates the relationship between the sense of coherence and actions consistent with values ​​- the presence of gratitude in an individual's life strengthens the relationship between the sense of coherence and values based actions. A mediating role of forgiveness in the relationship between the sense of coherence and actions consistent with values ​​was also found. The dimensions of revenge and kindness turned out to be mediators in the relationship between the sense of coherence and the dimension of obstacles to act consistently with given values, but they did not show a mediating effect in the relationship between the sense of coherence and the dimension of continuously supported actions consistent with given values. The third factor – avoidance, demonstrated none of a mediating role in any of the examined relationships; the presence of kindness strengthens the negative correlation between the sense of coherence and the obstacle dimension; however, the presence of revenge weakens this dependence.
 Conclusions. The results expressed an importance of gratitude in the functioning of mental mechanisms and demonstrated yet another aspect whereby the presence of gratitude had a positive impact on the individual’s responses to their life context.