Individual and relational factors linked to the perception of divine forgiveness among Spanish-speaking Catholics.

This Stage 2 Registered Report presents a well-powered (>90%) cross-sectional study examining associations between individual and relational factors and divine forgiveness perception (DFP) among Spanish-speaking Catholics within the framework of theistic relational spirituality.Data from 429 Catholic adults (ages 18-99) from Spain and Mexico were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression models structured in four blocks (demographic, individual, interpersonal, and transpersonal factors) to examine the incremental contribution of each level.As preregistered, higher DFP was associated with (a) individual variables (Hypothesis 1 [H1]): greater religiosity (H1a), higher guilt-repair (H1b2), and lower shame-withdraw (H1c1); (b) priest-related variables (Hypothesis 2): a stronger confessor alliance (Hypothesis 2b); and (c) God-related variables (Hypothesis 3): a more secure attachment to God (Hypothesis 3a) by lower avoidance and anxiety.Contrary to expectations, no evidence emerged for associations with higher guilt-negative behavioral evaluation (H1b1), lower shame-negative selfevaluation (H1c2), lower perceived clericalism (Hypothesis 2a), or lower spiritual struggle (Hypothesis 3b).Religiosity and attachment to God explained the largest incremental variance in DFP, both exceeding the preregistered smallest effect size of interest ( f 2 = 0.11).Exploratory analyses suggested that the negative association between shame-withdraw and DFP was weaker at higher levels of alliance with the confessor.Country-specific models showed broadly similar directional patterns across Mexico and Spain.These findings suggest that DFP in Catholics is associated with interconnected intrapersonal, interpersonal, and transpersonal processes in which doctrinal and experiential dimensions of Catholic spirituality intertwine.The results shed light on an existing theoretical model of DFP within the Catholic context and carry implications for pastoral care and believers' psychological well-being.

Forgiveness · Interpersonal perception · Interpersonal relationship · Perception · Social perception · Forgiveness and Related Behaviors · Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies · Religious and Theological Studies