Reasons for Forgiving

Individual Differences and Emotional Outcomes

Bibliographic Data

ID3484896
AuthorsKathryn Belicki (0000-0002-4062-3427, Brock University, corresponding author), Nancy Decourville (Brock University), Shanmukh Vasant Kamble (0000-0002-2185-8052, Karnatak University), Tammy Stewart (Brock University), Alicia N Rubel (Brock University), Alicia Rubel
Year2020
Volume10
Issue1
Publication date2020-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSAGE Open (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/2158244020902084
OpenAlexW3000848629
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited26

This research is part of a program to identify common forms of forgiveness and study the outcomes associated with different ways of forgiving. Two samples, one in Canada ( N = 274) and one in India ( N = 159), completed a third version of the Reasons for Forgiving Questionnaire (R4FQ), several measures of individual differences, as well as measures of affect and mood while imagining their injurer. Nine R4FQ subscales were derived: For the Relationship, To Feel Better, Based on Principle, Because Injurer Reformed, To Demonstrate Moral Superiority, Because Understood Injurer, For God, Because of Social Pressure, and For Pragmatic Reasons. These subscales were differentially related to religiosity, attachment security, trait anger, collectivism, and individualism. Positive emotional outcomes were associated with forgiving for the relationship, based on principle, because injurer reformed, and because understood injurer. In contrast, negative outcomes were associated with forgiving To Demonstrate Moral Superiority, Because of Social Pressure, and For Pragmatic Reasons

Anger · Collectivism · Economics · Forgiveness · Individualism · Mood · Religiosity · Trait · Conflict Management and Negotiation · Forgiveness and Related Behaviors · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access