title: What determines forgiveness in close relationships? The role of post-transgression trust.
abstract: Relationship closeness is one of the best predictors of forgiveness. But what is the process by which closeness encourages forgiveness? Across three studies, we employed a mix of experimental and correlational designs with prospective (N = 108), scenario (N = 71), and recall (N = 184) paradigms to test a multiple mediation model. We found consistent evidence that the positive association between relationship closeness and forgiveness may be explained by levels of post-transgression trust in the offender. Moreover, trust always played the main mediating role in the forgiveness process, even when taking into account several transgression-specific variables associated with both trust and forgiveness (e.g., apology). We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of trust as a key indicator of forgiveness in close relationships.
authors.affiliation: University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strelan
authors.affiliation: Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Karremans
authors.affiliation: University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Josiah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krieg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D061347:Forgiveness; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D035502:Trust / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: apology; closeness; downplaying; empathy; forgiveness; hurtfulness; intent; rumination; sympathy; trust