Differential effects of decisional and emotional forgiveness on distress and well-being: A three-wave study of Indonesian adults

Abstract

Research suggests that interpersonal forgiveness is beneficial to individual functioning, but few longitudinal studies have explored the independent contributions of decisional and emotional forgiveness to reducing different forms of distress and improving multidimensional well-being. In this three-wave (T1: December 2020; T2: January 2021; T3: February 2021) prospective study of predominantly young Indonesian adults (n = 595), we examined the associations of decisional and emotional forgiveness with three indicators of distress and 10 components of well-being. Applying the outcome-wide analytic template for longitudinal designs, our primary analysis involved estimating two sets of linear regression models (one set for decisional forgiveness and one set for emotional forgiveness) in which the outcomes were regressed on each interpersonal forgiveness process (one outcome at a time). Adjusting for a range of covariates (including prior values of decisional forgiveness, emotional forgiveness, and all 13 outcomes) assessed at T1, decisional forgiveness assessed at T2 was associated with an increase in seven components of well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, physical health, sense of purpose, promote good, delayed gratification, content with relationships, satisfying relationships) approximately 1 month later at T3. In contrast, emotional forgiveness assessed at T2 was associated with an increase in a single component of well-being (i.e., satisfying relationships) assessed at T3. Neither decisional nor emotional forgiveness assessed at T2 showed evidence of associations with any of the subsequent indicators of distress assessed at T3. Our findings suggest that, at least within a principally collectivistic cultural context such as Indonesia, decisional forgiveness in the aftermath of a transgression may have greater short-term benefits for well-being compared to emotional forgiveness. Implications of the findings for research and interventions are discussed.

Forgiveness: A Comprehensive Literature Review

“…On the other hand, a comparative scientific study, predominantly on young 585 Indonesian adults suggests that in a collectivistic cultural context such as Indonesia, restorative forgiveness (decisional forgiveness) following a transgression, where a decision is made to forgive, rather than seeking retribution or holding grudges may offer greater short-term benefits for well-being compared to emotional forgiveness (Cook et al, 2022). Another research was done by (Suhron et al, 2020) on 52 schizophrenia patients with violent behavior with a sampling technique.…”

Four key areas of interpersonal forgiveness research that have developed over the last three decades: A reflection and tribute to Everett l. Worthington Jr.

“…As these brief examples indicate, forgiveness is a highly individual experience that cannot be reduced to a generalized “forgiveness process” (Z. J. Chen et al, in press; Cook et al, 2022; Cowden, Chen, et al, 2023).…”

“…Recognizing that there are opportunities to improve our understanding of forgiveness and its implications for health and well-being by employing rigorous analytic approaches to study forgiveness from a whole person perspective, a growing number of longitudinal studies have reported on the associations of forgiveness with numerous outcomes across many domains of individual functioning (e.g., Y. Chen et al, 2019; Cook et al, 2022; Cowden, Chen, et al, 2023; Long et al, 2020). The findings reported in such studies—though mostly pertaining to the subjectivity that characterizes well-being—have corroborated, challenged, and extended prior research on forgiveness and its connection to health and well-being, with evidence across these studies generally supporting stronger and more consistent associations with psychosocial outcomes.…”

Associations of self‐forgiveness processes with distress and well‐being outcomes: Evidence from a longitudinal study of Indonesian adults

“…Still, virtually all research on self‐forgiveness has taken place in Western countries (Sandage et al, 2020). A common dimension on which cultures are thought to differ is individualism–collectivism, which can shape one's understanding and experience of interpersonal forgiveness and perhaps self‐forgiveness as well (Cook et al, 2022; Hook et al, 2009; Sandage et al, 2020). To achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the linkages between self‐forgiveness and well‐being, additional research is needed in non‐Western, predominantly collectivistic contexts.…”