The antecedents and consequences of interpersonal forgiveness: A meta‐analytic review
Abstract
This article examines the antecedents and outcomes of forgiveness. The interpersonal forgiveness literature is qualitatively reviewed. Antecedents to forgiveness are classified by their proximity to forgiveness based on M. E. McCullough and colleagues, (1998) framework. From most distal to most proximal these antecedents are personality, relationship factors, offense‐specific factors, and social‐cognitive factors including empathy. The association of these antecedents and several consequences of forgiveness are quantitatively examined in meta‐analyses. All investigated variables were significantly related to forgiveness. Empathy was a stronger correlate of forgiveness than any other non‐social‐cognitive antecedent except for trait agreeableness. Methodological factors and the average age of subjects moderated the relationship between forgiveness and some of its correlates. Implications and future directions are considered.
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- Authors
- RIEK, B. M., & MANIA, E. W.
- Affiliations
- Calvin University (US)
- Quinsigamond Community College (US)
- Corresponding author
- RIEK, BLAKE M.
- Venue
- Personal Relationships
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-06-02
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 304-325
- ISSN
- 1350-4126 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-6811
- OpenAlex
- W1986362587
- Cited by
- 237
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 6.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Personal Relationships (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Forgiveness and Related Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
- Keywords
- interpersonal forgiveness, empathy, personality, relationship factors, socio-cognitive factors
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