Abstract

This study examined the relationships and distinctions between spousal forgiveness and self-forgiveness for the most hurtful marital transgression, as well as the influence of trait forgiveness, marital satisfaction, and transgression-related characteristics. Survey data from 588 married men and women were analyzed using correlation analyses, paired-samples t-tests, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses. The main findings of this study were as follows. First, participants rated their own transgressions as less severe than those of their spouses, and they reported higher levels of self-forgiveness than spousal forgiveness. Second, both spousal forgiveness and self-forgiveness were significantly negatively associated with transgression severity and significantly positively associated with trait forgiveness and marital satisfaction. Third, trait forgiveness showed a stronger association with self-forgiveness, whereas marital satisfaction was more strongly associated with spousal forgiveness. The results of this study are discussed in terms of theoretical implications, practical implications for counseling, and study limitations.