Dispositional Forgiveness Research Articles

Dispositional and Contextual Predictors of Forgiveness in Adults with Limb Amputation

Although people with limb amputation are exposed to different offenses related to their physical disability, there is no research exploring ways they cope with such stressors. One of prosocial methods of dealing with interpersonal transgressions is forgiveness. The aim of the study was to investigate relationships between dispositional forgiveness, contextual factors, and decisional and emotional forgiveness of a particular offense in people living with limb loss. One hundred and two persons (58 females and 44 males) with limb amputation aged 18 to 75 (M = 41.69, SD = 14.39) took part in a study. Participants completed the Heartland Forgiveness Scale, the Decision to Forgive Scale, the Emotional Forgiveness Scale and five items regarding transgressions related to limb amputation. Results revealed that disposition to forgive and contextual factors like apology and relationship quality, but not the severity of transgression, were related to acts of forgiveness following particular transgressions. However, different variables explained distinct aspects of episodic forgiveness. Decisional forgiveness was related to disposition to forgive and apology being offered by the wrongdoer. Reduction of negative emotions was explained by dispositional overcoming unforgiveness, whereas presence of positive emotions was associated only with contextual factors (apology and quality of the relationship). The findings demonstrated the complexity of experiencing forgiveness in the population of amputees. Introducing the practical implications of the study in rehabilitation and counseling for people who lost their limbs is recommended.

Attachment Patterns, Dispositional Forgiveness, and Perceived Social-Support among Emerging Adults

The present study examined the relationship among attachment patterns, dispositional forgiveness, and perceived social support of emerging adults and probed into whether there existed any difference, in terms of gender or relationship status, in their attachment patterns. The participants (N=201) aged 18-25 years, were recruited on-line and completed the Revised Adult Attachment Scale: close relationship version (RAAS), Trait Forgiveness Scale (TFS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS). Data analyses using non-parametric tests revealed significant positive relationship among attachment patterns barring anxious attachment, to dispositional forgiveness and perceived social support of young adults. Anxious attachment was negatively correlated with perceived social support and had no relationship to dispositional forgiveness. No significant gender difference or relationship status difference in adult attachment patterns were observed. The intricacies in attachment patterns, dispositional forgiveness, and perceived social support and how it affects the interpersonal interactions of young adults are highlighted.

Gerotranscendence and wisdom in Polish older adults. The longitudinal mediation analysis of forgiveness

Objectives: The goal of the present study was to investigate whether forgiveness played a mediating role in the relationships between gerotranscendence and wisdom among people in late adulthood. Method: The study included 416 participants aged 60 to 75 years. The following measures were used: the Gerotranscendence Scale Type 2 (GST2), the Heartland Forgiveness Scale and the Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale (SAWS). To verify the hypothesis, a longitudinal three-wave field study was conducted. Results: The results suggest that an increase in gerotranscendence is associated with an increase in forgiveness and wisdom. In addition, greater willingness to forgive co-occurs with higher levels of wisdom. Moreover, dispositional forgiveness mediates the relationship between gerotranscendence and wisdom – a higher gerotranscendence leads to a higher wisdom through an increase in forgiveness. Conclusion: The results of our research add to the knowledge of the mechanism of the relationship between gerotranscendence and wisdom and support the thesis that late adulthood presents individuals with new challenges and opportunities for creative personal development.

Personality correlates of dispositional forgiveness: a direct comparison of interpersonal and self-forgiveness using common transgression scenarios.

Although the personality correlates of dispositional interpersonal forgiveness (forgiveness of others) have been well characterized, those of dispositional self-forgiveness are less well understood. Moreover, when the personality correlates are examined for both types of forgiveness, the comparison has been based on participants' self-report ratings on questionnaires. The current study sought to address these gaps in the literature by adopting a scenario-based approach, which has been used less frequently, especially in self-forgiveness research. A total of 160 participants read six fictional scenarios, each describing a severe transgression, from the perspective of the transgressor (self-forgiveness, n = 78) or the victim (interpersonal forgiveness, n = 82) of the transgression, and then responded to several items assessing different facets of forgiveness (avoidance, revenge, and benevolence). Participants' personality (Big Five) and explanatory style were also assessed. Consistent with prior literature, agreeableness and neuroticism generally predicted different facets of interpersonal forgiveness. These two personality traits also predicted facets of self-forgiveness, but, additionally, conscientiousness and one's tendency to internalize failure (the personal component of explanatory style) uniquely predicted self-forgiveness, especially avoidance motivations. These results point to both similarities and differences in the personality correlates of interpersonal and self-forgiveness. As a secondary, more exploratory aim, the current study compared the results from our scenario-based assessment of forgiveness to those based on a commonly used questionnaire, the Other and Self subscales of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS). As expected, the Other subscale of the HFS were associated with levels of interpersonal forgiveness assessed with our transgression scenarios, but, surprisingly, the HFS Self subscale was more strongly related to interpersonal than self-forgivess assessed with scenarios. Moreover, the Self subscale was not associated with levels of self-forgiveness assessed with transgression scenarios, except for avoidance motivations. These results suggest that scenario-based and questionnaire-based methods may capture different facts of forgiveness and cannot be used interchangeably, especially for the assessment of self-forgiveness. More generally, the current study illustrates the importance of conducting direct within-study comparisons of interpersonal and self-forgiveness as well as of different assessment methods to better understand the similarities and differences between the two types of forgiveness.

Forgiveness in Marriage: From Incidents to Marital Satisfaction

Although marital forgiveness has been found to increase marital satisfaction, no research to date has examined the actual mechanism. This could derive from the ABCM model of marital satisfaction (Hall, 2021), in which disposition to forgive is understood as one of the marriage maintenance strategies contributing to spousal happiness. In two cross-sectional studies, we examined the association between marital forgiveness and satisfaction. We also tested a model in which dispositional forgiveness mediates the link between forgiveness of a particular marital incident and satisfaction with spousal relationship, moderated by transgression severity and apology. The Marital Offence-Specific Forgiveness Scale, the Heartland Forgiveness Scale and measures of marital satisfaction were used. Positive main effects between forgiveness and multidimensional marital satisfaction emerged. Moderated mediation revealed the mediation effect of dispositional forgiveness, which did not depend on the level of the moderators (severity and apology).

Personality, family relationships and school climate dimensions as predictors of dispositional forgiveness in adolescence

The mental health benefits of forgiveness are well-established in the literature. The growing research on dispositional forgiveness in adolescence is indicative of the need to better understand its role in youth’s well-being. In order to examine dispositional forgiveness in adolescence, measures regarding Big 5 personality factors (individual level), family relationships, school climate (system level), and sociodemographic variables at an individual and system level were used. Participants were 1,378 adolescents attending junior and senior high schools located in the broader area of Attica, Greece, randomly selected. Younger age, lower levels of neuroticism, and higher levels of extraversion, agreeableness and quality communication with the mother predicted higher forgiveness of self. Higher levels of openness to experience, agreeableness, quality communication with the father, positive behavior, positive attitude, and lower levels of lack of respect in the school predicted higher forgiveness of others. Finally, lower levels of neuroticism, higher levels of extraversion, agreeableness, and positive behavior in the school predicted higher levels of forgiveness of situations. The findings highlight the important role of personality factors and indicate the significance of primary prevention interventions in the school community regarding school climate that could contribute to the promotion of dispositional forgiveness and well-being of adolescents.

Forgive, Let Go, and Stay Well! The Relationship between Forgiveness and Physical and Mental Health in Women and Men: The Mediating Role of Self-Consciousness.

The current study assessed forgiveness (positive forgiveness and reduced unforgiveness), self-consciousness (rumination and reflection), and physical and mental health. The aim of the study was to check if self-consciousness mediates the relationship between dispositional forgiveness and health. To address this link, we conducted 2 studies (N = 484 in Study 1 and N = 249 in Study 2). Data were collected separately for Study 1, as well as Study 2. We used in both studies the Heartland Forgiveness Scale and the Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire, and additionally, the General Health Questionnaire-28 in Study 1 and the Scales of Psychological Well-Being in Study 2. The results indicated that rumination was an effective mediator between positive forgiveness and mental health (B = 0.14, CI95% = [0.064, 0.234]), reduced unforgiveness and physical health (B = -0.13, CI95% = [-0.182, -0.088]), and both rumination and reflection between reduced unforgiveness and mental health (B = 0.13 CI95% = [0.051, 0.226]), positive forgiveness (B = -0.09 CI95% = [-0.135, -0.052]), and physical health. The mediating role of ruminations was more frequently observed in females. The study highlighted the indirect effect between forgiveness and health. Rumination and reflection are mediators between forgiveness and health.

Individual and Relational Outcomes Associated with Dispositional Forgiveness: The Mediating Role of Interpersonal Trust, Affectionate Communication, and Verbal Aggression

ABSTRACT Dispositional forgiveness is defined as the ability to reframe a perceived transgression from negative to neutral or positive, such that the outcome of the transgression is no longer perceived as adverse. The utility of dispositional forgiveness for individuals and relationships is clear; however, the specific factors that encourage favorable outcomes associated with dispositional forgiveness remain unclear. In two studies I assessed individuals’ self, other, and situational forgiveness; faith in, dependability on, and predictability with same-sex best friends; cognitive and emotional well-being; sent affectionate communication and verbal aggression to same-sex best friends; and relationship satisfaction with same-sex best friends. Results indicated that faith in and dependability on same-sex best friends mediated the association between other forgiveness and cognitive and emotional well-being. In addition, affectionate communication mediated the association between other forgiveness and relationship satisfaction.

The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Health Outcomes Among People Living with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study in France

Research to date has shown that HIV infection is a highly stressful experience for individuals, and one of the key adaptive resources after such painful experiences may be forgiveness. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between dispositional forgiveness (assessed using Mullet’s Forgivingness Questionnaire and Toussaint’s Forgiveness Scale), perceived stress (single-item measure of stress symptoms), health perception (EuroQol visual analogue version of the scale) and life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale) in people living with HIV (PLWH) in France. Paper surveys were completed by 222 PLWH aged 18–78 (57% male). Multiple regression analysis revealed that sensitivity to circumstances, unconditional forgiveness, self-forgiveness, and forgiveness of others were significant predictors of health and happiness. Mediation analysis showed that these relationships are completely mediated by perceived stress. The present findings suggest that forgiveness and perceived stress may be important variables for healing in PLWH. Interventions designed to improve forgiveness and self-forgiveness may result in improved health and life satisfaction in PLWH.

Cyber-victimisation and cyber-bullying: the mediation role of the dispositional forgiveness in female and male adolescents

ABSTRACT Accumulating literature suggests that the risk of perpetrating bullying is greater among those who have been bullied. The association between the transition from victim to bully and revenge aggression suggests the critical role of forgiveness. However, evidence on the mediating role of forgiveness on the victimisation–bullying association is still sparse. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of person’s dispositional forgiveness (DF) on the relationship between cyber-victimisation (CV) and cyber-bullying (CB) and to explore the moderating effect of gender on this relationship. Four hundred eighty-one upper secondary students (n = 481, 47.8% females, mean age = 17.2, SD = 1.5) completed the Florence Cyber-Bullying – Cyber-Victimisation Scales and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale. Statistical analysis reveals significant direct and indirect effects between CV, DF, and CB latent variables. CV has a negative influence on DF and positive influence on CB behaviour. Furthermore, there was an indirect influence of CV on CB behaviour following the path through DF only in females. The results suggest that DF seems to decrease CB behaviours by buffering the adverse outcomes of being CV, particularly among female victims. The findings underline the relevance of forgiveness within preventative interventions against bullying and cyberbullying.

The Prospective Relationship of Attachment Theory and Dispositional Forgiveness: An Exploration of a Somali Population in the United States

The Prospective Relationship of Attachment Theory and Dispositional Forgiveness: An Exploration of a Somali Population in the United States

The less you judge, the better you sleep: The benefits of mindfulness and forgiveness for insomnia and sleep problems.

Mindfulness and forgiveness can contribute to decreased rumination, which in turn has been found to play an important role in sleep problems, such as insomnia and poor sleep quality. The authors explored rumination as a potential explanatory variable underlying the association of mindfulness with insomnia and sleep quality, with a model encompassing different mindfulness facets and controlling for interpersonal dispositional forgiveness. One hundred adults (74% females, Mage = 27.62, SD = 8.11) completed measures of Mindfulness, Forgivingness, Rumination, Sleep Quality, and Insomnia. Nonjudging was the main mindfulness facet contributing to better sleep quality. Rumination completely mediated the associations of nonjudgmental attitude with insomnia and sleep quality, and partially mediated the associations of dispositional forgiveness with the outcomes. These findings suggest that a mindful nonjudgmental attitude toward the self and a forgiving interpersonal disposition may reduce rumination by helping individuals let go of thoughts, mental images, and emotions, thus promoting better sleep.

How forgiveness relieves anxiety: the role of differentiation of self

ABSTRACT Although forgiveness has been found to reduce anxiety, no research to date has examined the actual mechanism. This could be derived from Murray Bowen’s theory and his concept of differentiation of self (DoS). In the present cross-sectional study, we tested a model in which self-differentiation mediates the link between dispositional forgiveness and trait anxiety. The sample was composed of 216 individuals. Polish adaptations of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale, the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used. Results indicated that the three aspects of DoS (emotional reactivity, I-position, emotional cut-off) partially mediated the negative association between total forgiveness and anxiety. Emotional reactivity and emotional cut-off mediated the association between reduced unforgiveness and anxiety while positive forgiveness–anxiety link was mediated by I-position and emotional cut-off. The findings demonstrate that differentiation of self might be a mechanism via which forgiveness reduces anxiety after one has been hurt.

Associations of dispositional forgivingness with facets of well-being among Colombian adults: A longitudinal outcome-wide analysis.

Many studies have reported evidence suggesting that dispositional forgivingness has positive implications for different domains of well-being. However, relatively few methodologically rigorous studies have been conducted in the Global South, particularly in post-conflict settings where forgiveness could play an important role in supporting individual well-being. In this three-wave cohort study of predominantly young adult Colombians (n=1575), we examined the associations of dispositional forgivingness with 20 well-being outcomes across several domains of well-being: psychological distress, psychological well-being, physical health, social well-being, and character strengths/virtues. Using an outcome-wide analytic design that included extensive control for potential confounding and reverse causation by adjusting for a range of covariates assessed in Wave 1 (2017), we found that dispositional forgivingness assessed in Wave 2 (2018) was at least modestly associated with improvements in one or more facet of each well-being domain assessed approximately 1 year later in Wave 3 (2019). Associations tended to be stronger for outcomes in the domains of psychological distress, psychological well-being, social well-being, and character strengths/virtues compared to the physical health domain. These longitudinal findings suggest that dispositional forgivingness might promote individual well-being in societies with a long history of ongoing civil unrest, conflict, and war.

Forgiveness and mental Well-being: a transnational comparison

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate forgiveness and mental well-being amongst Forgiveness and mental well-being were investigated amongst British European and Nigerian African samples to compare and determine the similarities and differences in dispositional forgiveness levels between the two populations conducted in terms of their general samples, gender and age and the difference in mental well-being scores between the two samples. Finally, the relationship between forgiveness and mental well-being in both groups was examined. Design/methodology/approach The Bolton Forgiveness Scale and the Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale were administered to the participants (Nigerian n = 1,164, British n = 855). SPSS was used to analyse data; a series of t-test was conducted; and Eta-squared and Z-value were calculated to determine the magnitude of each significant difference among variables and the magnitude of the difference in the correlation coefficient among variables, respectively. Findings Statistically significant results suggested significant differences in the way and manner dispositional forgiveness is conceptualised and practised within one group relative to the other, whereas non-significant results indicated similarities in forgiveness opinions and practises between the two groups. Overall British sample, men and those aged 36–55 reported higher levels of forgiveness than their Nigerian counterparts. However, Nigerians under the age of 35 reported higher levels of forgiveness than their British counterparts, and there was no statistically significant difference between the forgiveness levels of British and Nigerian women. Furthermore, the British total sample, men and women, all had higher well-being scores than their Nigerian counterparts. Research limitations/implications Forgiveness varies according to culture. The findings of this study suggest that the individualistic/collectivistic cultural arguments long held by some authors may not adequately explain the differences and similarities in forgiveness conceptualization and practise across cultures. As a result, research may focus on a variety of factors such as educational background, income, socioeconomic level and religion, among others. Second, consistent with previous studies, this research suggests that forgiveness is positively related to mental health and well-being. Finally, one of the limitations of this study is its exclusive focus on two countries, namely, the UK and Nigeria. Future research could include more countries with both individualistic and collectivistic societies. Originality/value This paper, which is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first to examine forgiveness and mental well-being in a comparative perspective between British European and Nigerian African samples, has made a unique contribution to the forgiveness and mental well-being literature and in particular, has provided a solid foundation and resources for future research of a similar nature in Africa, where little or no research had been conducted previously.

Engaging Dispositional Forgiveness: A Structure for Consistent Forgiveness Praxis.

Although forgiveness is hard work, it enables individuals who have gone through unfairness and harm outgrow the pain of resentment and hostility to a condition of wellness and health. Still, it is possible that authentic forgiveness, regardless of significant violations may, as a matter of choice occur when the injured have hitherto achieved proficiency with the forgiveness praxis by practicing consistently. This manuscript suggests a brief dispositional forgiveness praxis that permits individuals to achieve experience in forgiving trivial faults on a consistent basis. Even though other forgiveness practices are in existence, this praxis is distinctive in that it draws from a philosophically and scientifically firm appreciation of the forgiveness procedures and is supposed to build up ones' capacity to forgive in the circumstances of more difficult wounding and unfairness that may occur ahead. Individual persons engage in this praxis by meditating upon smaller instances of wrongdoing from their everyday life and wade through six steps, each informed by inquiry in forgiveness counseling and self-understanding; to move from anger to empathy. A case study is provided to demonstrate one personal experience in engaging in one of consistent forgiveness praxis in the repercussions of a small wrongdoing.

Dispositional forgiveness buffers paranoia following interpersonal transgression.

To test a novel proposition that dispositional forgiveness has the unrecognized benefit of buffering feelings of paranoia following negative interpersonal experiences and interpersonal transgressions. In Study 1 (N=128), we used an experimental paradigm, the Prisoner's Dilemma Game (PDG), to test the premise that an interpersonal transgression increases state paranoia. Study 2 (N=180) used a longitudinal design to test the central proposition that dispositional forgiveness buffers state paranoia following naturally occurring difficult (vs pleasant) interpersonal events. Study 3 (N=102) used a novel experimental paradigm to determine the causal effect of manipulating forgiveness on paranoia. In Study 1, interpersonal transgressions in the PDG increased paranoia. In Study 2, paranoia was higher following difficult (rather than pleasant) events, and higher levels of dispositional forgiveness moderated the negative effect of difficult events on paranoia. In Study 3, there was a causal effect of forgiveness on (reduced) paranoia. This is the first evidence that (1) interpersonal transgressions increase paranoia, (2) high dispositional forgiveness moderates the deleterious effect of interpersonal transgression on paranoia, and (3) dispositional forgiveness is causally related to less paranoia.

Parent-Child Attachment Security and Depressive Symptoms in Early Adolescence: The Mediating Roles of Gratitude and Forgiveness.

Although greater parent-child attachment security is linked with children's lower levels of depressive symptoms, little research has evaluated potential explanatory mechanisms. We investigated whether dispositional gratitude and interpersonal forgiveness explain the relation between attachment security with parents and early adolescents' depressive symptoms. Early adolescents (N = 105; M age = 12.3 years; 51% girls) completed questionnaires assessing their attachment security to mother and father figures, depressive symptoms, and dispositional gratitude, and an interview assessing interpersonal forgiveness. Results revealed that greater attachment security to mothers and fathers was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and greater levels of dispositional gratitude and interpersonal forgiveness. Further, dispositional gratitude and interpersonal forgiveness were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Dispositional gratitude emerged as a mediator between attachment security with each parent and depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest that greater parent-child security may promote early adolescents' appreciation of positive events, which in turn may relate to fewer depressive symptoms.

The Role of Forgiveness in Countering Youth Radicalization into Violent Extremism in Eastleigh, Kenya

Radicalization has endured as a grave contemporary threat to peace in the world, given the constant rising numbers of terrorist attacks. Youth are at risk of radicalization and recruitment to militant groupings that carry out diverse forms of extreme violence. The surge of youth radicalization into violent extremism across the globe has become a worrying trend. Despite all the efforts to counter radicalization among the youths, more are still being radicalized. This study sought to investigate the role of forgiveness in countering youth radicalization into violent extremism in Eastleigh, Kenya. This study adopted mixed methods sequential explanatory design, combining experimental, correlational and phenomenological research methods. This study was conducted in Nairobi County, Kamukunji Sub- County, Eastleigh suburb, in St Theresa’s Catholic Church and Riyadh Mosque, since Churches and mosques traditionally are the center for community activities and ideas. The study employed both probability and non-probability sampling methods. The sample size for the study was 222 respondents comprising of 212 youths and 10 key informants. The review found that there was weak, negative and insignificant correlation between self-forgiveness and extremism. The study concluded that the level of forgiveness among the respondents was above average. The study recommends that the Heartland Forgiveness adds to the known levels of forgiveness by virtue of its different elements that can be measured. Dispositional forgiveness is likely to be a method that make it possible for people to turn their focus away from unfavourable personal responses to rewarding dimensions of their lives. Therefore, the tendency to forgive, as gauged by Heartland Forgiveness scale contributes to the existing comprehension of significant personality distinctions Keywords: Forgiveness, Radicalization, Youth & Violent Extremism

Basic Dimensions of Religiousness and Dispositional Forgiveness: The Mediating Role of Religiously Motivated Forgiveness

Forgiveness could be regarded as one of the most important moral imperatives across various religions. Although numerous studies have confirmed the hypothesis that religious people tend to be more forgiving, there is still an open question as to which dimensions of religiosity are responsible for this tendency and whether religious people equally tend to forgive others, but also themselves, and feel being forgiven by God. The present study investigated the associations between religiosity and dispositional forgiveness using the basic dimensions of religiousness model (including cognitive, emotional, moral, and social dimensions of religiosity) and multifaceted measurement of forgiveness (self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, divine forgiveness, and religiously motivated forgiveness). The study involved 427 individuals who identified themselves as religious (71% women). The results showed weak positive correlations between dimensions of religiousness and dispositional selfforgiveness, moderate associations with dispositional forgiveness of others and religiously motivated forgiveness, and strong associations with dispositional divine forgiveness. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that when controlled for covariations between dimensions of religiousness and dimensions of forgiveness, the behaving (morality) dimension of forgiveness predicted dispositional forgiveness of others and divine forgiveness. Religiously motivated forgiveness mediated between the believing (meaning) and behaving dimensions of religiousness, and dispositional forgiveness.