Date of Graduation
2003
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
Committee Chair
Kevin Larkin
Abstract
This study investigated the relations among forgiveness, empathy, trauma symptomology, and relationship characteristics. Participants included 116 female and 113 male undergraduates. Forgiveness was measured by the Acts of Forgiveness Scale, empathy by the Batson Empathy Scale, and trauma symptomology by the PTSD Checklist. The Relationship Rating Form and the Commitment Inventory measured relationship characteristics. Results indicated a significant positive relation between forgiveness and empathy (r = .215) and a significant inverse relation between forgiveness and trauma symptomology (r = -.307). No significant direct associations were observed between forgiveness and relationship characteristics. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that forgiveness was significantly predicted by empathy and trauma symptoms after controlling for strength of religious faith. Additional variance was explained by the interactions of constraint commitment by dedication commitment and constraint commitment by religion. Findings supported the importance of empathy in predicting forgiveness and demonstrated the presence of trauma symptoms was associated with less forgiveness.
Recommended Citation
Parker, Benjamin T., "Forgiveness of interpersonal betrayal: The effects of empathy and trauma symptomology." (2003). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 10778.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10778