Predicting Self-Regulated Learning Among Scholarship Recipient Students Working on a Thesis through Forgiveness and its Dimensions: The Mediating Role of Optimism

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between forgiveness, optimism, and selfregulated learning (SRL) among students receiving government scholarships who are working on a thesis. The role of forgiveness according to its dimensions (of self, others, and situations) is also investigated. This study involves 183 students of Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia (age range from 20 to 24; MAge=21.43, SDAge=0.615) obtained through cluster random sampling. Using psychological scales of Forgiveness (40 items; α=0.903), Optimism (26 items; α=0.883), and Self-Regulated Learning (42 items; α=0.936) developed by researchers, the results of all bivariate Pearson Correlations show significant positive relationships. The path analysis shows the effect of forgiveness on SRL both directly and indirectly mediated by optimism. Among the forgiveness dimensions, only the selfforgiveness has a direct effect on SRL. Optimism partially mediates the effect of each forgiveness of self and situations on SRL. The forgiveness of others has neither direct nor indirect effect through mediation of optimism on SRL. Further analysis of the prevalence and the differences of variables are also examined. These results indicate the importance of further examination of the development of programs aimed at increasing forgiveness, specifically of self and situations, in order to promote optimism and SRL among Indonesian university students.

The Examination of the Mediator Role of Optimism, Self-Compassion, Altruism and Gratitude in the Relationship Between Cognitive Distortions and Forgiveness of Emerging Adults

“…It is known that there are negative and significant relationships between individuals’ characteristics such as optimism (Carver & Scheier, 2005; Pacheco & Malagris, 2020), self-compassion (Hou et al, 2020; Stanziano, 2019), altruism (Krieger & Falcone, 2017; Reed, 1983) and gratitude (Jung et al, 2014; Ramsey, 2019) and cognitive distortions and that the development of these personality characteristics significantly reduces cognitive distortions through mutual interaction (Jung et al, 2014; Karagöz, 2011; Kılıç & Tunç, 2020; Ulusoy & Duy, 2013). When studies on these personality characteristics are examined in the literature, it is seen that optimism (Ramadhani et al, 2021), self-compassion (Booker, 2019; Wu et al, 2019), altruism (Ergi et al, 2021; Oliner, 2005) and gratitude (Hermaen & Hussain Bhutto, 2020; Ramsey, 2019) seem to be facilitating factors for individuals to forgive themselves. In this context, with the support from the literature, it can be said that optimism, self-compassion, altruism and gratitude, which are the mediating variables of the current study, can be potential variables that can reduce the negative effects of cognitive distortions and increase the self-forgiveness of individuals.…”

“…While optimism (Caryk & Walker, 1986; Day & Maltby, 2003), self-compassion (Akın, 2010; Pedro et al, 2019), altruism (Krieger & Falcone, 2017; Reed, 1983) and gratitude (Jung et al, 2014; Ramsey, 2019) possessed by individuals and cognitive distortions are negatively and significantly correlated, it is known that supporting these positive characteristics of individuals significantly reduces their cognitive distortions (Jung et al, 2014; Karagöz, 2011; Kılıç & Tunç, 2020; Ulusoy & Duy, 2013). In this connection, when the studies in the literature are examined, it is seen that when personality characteristics of individuals such as optimism (Nembhard, 2017; Ramadhani et al, 2021), self-compassion (Booker & Perlin, 2021; Breen et al, 2010; Kılıç & Tunç, 2020; Oral & Arslan, 2017; Saeighi-Mameghani et al, 2020; Skoda, 2011), altruism (Naeem & Akhtar, 2016; Oliner, 2005; 2009) and gratitude (Kane et al, 2021; Naeem & Akhtar, 2016; Nembhard, 2017) are supported, they can be more forgiving of others. In this context, with the support from the literature, it can be said that optimism, self-compassion, altruism and gratitude, which are the mediating variables of the current study, can be potential variables that can reduce the negative effects of cognitive distortions and increase the individuals’ forgiveness of others.…”

“…Although it is known that there are some studies in the literature showing the existence of negative and significant correlations between positive character traits such as optimism (Chang & Bridewell, 1998), self-compassion (Stephenson et al, 2018), altruism (Krieger & Falcone, 2017; Reed, 1983) and gratitude (Jung et al, 2014; Ramsey, 2019) and cognitive distortions, it is also seen that the development of these positive character traits significantly reduces the negative effects of cognitive distortions on individuals (Jung et al, 2014; Karagöz, 2011; Kılıç & Tunç, 2020; Ulusoy & Duy, 2013). When the studies in the literature regarding the mentioned character traits are examined, it is seen that when the personality characteristics of individuals such as optimism (Ramadhani et al, 2021), self-compassion (Breen et al, 2010; Kılıç & Tunç, 2020), altruism (Sanlav, 2016) and gratitude (Aishvarya et al, 2021; Lee & Kim, 2021; Satıcı et al, 2014) are supported, their tendency to forgive situations increases accordingly. In this context, with the support from the literature, it can be said that optimism, self-compassion, altruism and gratitude, which are the mediating variables of the current study, can be potential variables that can reduce the negative effects of cognitive distortions and increase the individuals’ forgiveness of situations.…”

“…In addition, there are correlational studies in the literature showing that there is a negative correlation between cognitive distortions and optimism (Caryk & Walker, 1986; Pacheco & Malagris, 2020). On the other hand, when the literature is reviewed, it is seen that there are also correlational studies in which optimism is positively correlated with forgiveness (Nembhard, 2017; Ramadhani et al, 2021). In addition, it is known that optimism has positive and significant relationships with forgiveness of self (Ramadhani et al, 2021), others (Nembhard, 2017) and situations (Sivri, 2019), which are sub-dimensions of general forgiveness.…”

“…On the other hand, when the literature is reviewed, it is seen that there are also correlational studies in which optimism is positively correlated with forgiveness (Nembhard, 2017; Ramadhani et al, 2021). In addition, it is known that optimism has positive and significant relationships with forgiveness of self (Ramadhani et al, 2021), others (Nembhard, 2017) and situations (Sivri, 2019), which are sub-dimensions of general forgiveness. Some personality traits, such as optimism, are effective in having the necessary emotions, thoughts and relationship style in order for the individual to forgive (McCullough et al, 1998).…”