Psychological Abuse and Health: What Role Does Forgiveness Play?

Existent literature suggests forgiveness could lead to either greater psychological abuse (reinforcement theory), or lower psychological abuse (interpersonal theory). Questionnaires were completed by 291 participants who were dating at least 2 months. More forgiveness-particularly Absence of Negativity-was related to less abuse received from their partner, and this effect was stronger for females than for males. Absence of Negativity (AN) was predictive of health variables (psychosomatic symptoms, mental and physical health), although Presence of Positive forgiveness did not predict health beyond the impact of AN. Abuse-forgiveness and assertiveness-forgiveness interaction terms were not significant predictors of health. Results indicate interpersonal theory describes the link between forgiveness and psychological abuse. Results suggest that focus on AN could be sufficient for mental or physical health change

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2007

Author dc:creator

• Scherbarth, Andrew J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Critelli, Joseph W.
• Doster, Joseph A., 1943-
• Lambert, Paul

• psychological abuse
• forgiveness
• mental health
• quality of life
• stress-related symptoms
• assertiveness
• Psychological abuse -- Health aspects.
• Health -- Psychological aspects.
• Forgiveness.

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Scherbarth, Andrew J.
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 191697309
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3918/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc3918

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc3918