Gender Differences in Forgiveness and its Affective Correlates

Abstract

Although women are believed to be more forgiving than men, the results of many studies comparing women with men vary. Moreover, little is known about unique correlates or differential patterns of experiencing forgiveness by gender. In the present study, we compared men and women in terms of their level of dispositional forgiveness and its emotional correlates, namely positive and negative affect, anxiety, and emotional control. The sample consisted of 625 individuals aged 19–69, of whom 478 (76.5%) were women and 147 (23.5%) were men. Polish versions of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used. Men showed a higher level of general forgiveness and greater willingness to overcome unforgiveness than women, but there was no significant difference in positive facets of the disposition to forgive. In both genders negative affect, anxiety, and control of anger and of depression were negatively related to dimensions of dispositional forgiveness, and positive affect was positively associated with forgiveness. In females control of anxiety was negatively and in males it was positively related to facets of forgiveness. Gender moderated a number of links between affective traits and forgiveness of self and of situations beyond control, but not forgiveness of others.

Gender and age differences in forgivingness in Italian and Polish samples

“…Most studies were conducted in the US and they did not provide for cross-cultural comparison. Meanwhile, recent research on a Polish sample ( Charzyńska, 2015 ; Kaleta and Mróz, 2021 ) showed, contrary to the expectations, a stronger tendency to forgive among male participants. Such results might be specific to the Polish sample or more universal in traditional European Christian countries (see Worthington 2019a ; Worthington et al., 2019 ; Zarzycka, 2019 ).…”

“…We analyzed the results at an overall level, which does not reflect specific differences in forgiveness between gender and age groups. Although Kaleta and Mróz (2021) showed greater male forgivingness in the total score and in overcoming unforgiveness (negative dimension of forgiveness), there was no difference between genders in the positive dimension of forgivingness. Their findings revealed that dealing with unforgiving thoughts, emotions and behaviors after transgressions is easier for men than for women, but it is not easier for them to evoke positive states than it is for women.…”

“…When starting the therapy, women reported a lower level of forgiveness of others than men. Kaleta and Mróz (2021) also showed greater male forgivingness in the total score and in reduced unforgiveness (negative dimension of forgiveness). The findings might be interpreted in the light of the stress-and-coping theory.…”

Gender and Age Differences in Forgivingness in Italian and Polish Samples

“…Most studies were conducted in the US and they did not provide for cross-cultural comparison. Meanwhile, recent research on a Polish sample (Charzy nska, 2015;Kaleta and Mr oz, 2021) showed, contrary to the expectations, a stronger tendency to forgive among male participants. Such results might be specific to the Polish sample or more universal in traditional European Christian countries (see Worthington 2019a;Worthington et al, 2019;Zarzycka, 2019).…”

Forgive and Regret: A Comparative Analysis of the Role of Forgiveness in the US and Rwandan Criminal Justice Systems

“…Empowering women and elevating more women in leadership roles may lead to more societal forgiveness. Yet, it is not as straightforward as women being more forgiving than men as gender studies have found mixed results [38]. It is possible that it is related to a more holistic version of equality including not only gender, but racial, class, and other forms of equality as well.…”