Dyadic Assessment of Perceived Partner Forgiveness and Relationship Investment Model in Turkish Romantic Couples

Year 2023, Volume: 13 Issue: 70, 273 - 286, 30.09.2023

Esra Eker Durmuş , Yaşar Özbay

https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1213917.1

Cited By: 2

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between perceived partner forgiveness and relationship investment variables [relationship satisfaction, quality of alternatives, investment size,] in dyadic context. The data were collected from 116 heterosexual romantic couples (n = 232) in the 18-30 age group having at least six months of romantic relationship. This study employed cross-sectional correlational study design. Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to examine the predictive effect of independent variables of the couples on their dependent variables (actor) and their partners’ dependent variables (partner). In this study, dependent variables are relationship satisfaction, quality of alternatives and investment size, independent variable is subjective partner forgiveness. Subjective Partner Forgiveness Scale, The Investment Model Scale were used for data collection. The results suggest that as the level of forgiveness experienced by men and women increase relationship satisfaction increases in the relations between relationship satisfaction and perceived partner forgiveness. Results of the quality of the options and perceived partner forgiveness indicate that the partners' assessment of the quality of alternative decrease as the perceived forgiveness level of both men and women increase. Results of relationship investment and perceived partner forgiveness indicate that the partners' assessment of relationship investment increases as perceived forgiveness in women and men increase. The results were discussed in the context of relevant literature.

Keywords

perceived forgiveness, forgiveness, relationship investment

References

• Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Pychologist, 55(5), 469. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469
• Ashby, H. U. (2003). Being forgiven: toward a thicker description of forgiveness. Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling, 57(2), 143-152. https://doi.org/10.1177/15423050030570
• Ashton, M. C., Paunonen, S. V., Helmes, E., & Jackson, D. N. (1998). Kin altruism, reciprocal altruism, and the Big Five personality factors. Evolution and Human Behavior, 19, 243-255. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1090-5138(98)00009-9
• Aydın, F.T. (2017). Forgiveness as a positive character strength. The Journal of Happiness & Well-Being, 5(1), 1-22.
• Aydogan, D., & Ozbay, Y. (2018). Mediation role of dyadic coping on parenting stress and relational resilience in couples. Marriage & Family Review, 54(2), 128-147. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2017.1302900
• Baumgartner, H., & Homburg, C. (1996). Applications of structural equation modeling in marketing and consumer research: A review. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 13(2), 139-161. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8116(95)00038-0
• Bono, G., & McCullough, M. E. (2004). Religion, forgiveness, and adjustment in older adulthood. In K. W. Schaie, N. Krause, and A. Booth (Eds), Religious influences on health and well-being in the elderly (pp. 163-187). Springer Publishing.
• Braithwaite, S. R., Selby, E. A., & Fincham, F. D. (2011). Forgiveness and relationship satisfaction: Mediating mechanisms. Journal of Family Psychology, 25(4), 551. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024526
• Brown, RP. (2004). Vengeance is mine: Narcissism, vengeance, and the tendency to forgive. Journal of Research in Personality,38(6), 576-584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2003.10.003
• Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2010). Manual of data analysis for social sciences (12. ed.). PegemA Publishing.
• Büyüksahin, A., & Hovardaoglu, S. (2007). Investigation of investment model in terms of some relational variables. Turkish Journal of Psychology, 22(59), 69-90.
• Büyükşahin, A., Hasta, D. & Hovardaoğlu, S. (2005). Relationship Stability Scale: Validity and reliability study. Turkish Psychology Articles, 8(16), 25-37.
• Chung, M. L., Moser, D. K., Lennie, T. A., & Rayens, M. K. (2009). The effects of depressive symptoms and anxiety on quality of life in patients with heart failure and their spouses: Testing dyadic dynamics using Actor–Partner Interdependence Model. Journal of Pychosomatic Research, 67(1), 29-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.01.009
• Cramer, D. (2003). Facilitativeness, conflict, demand for approval, self-esteem, and satisfaction with romantic relationships. The Journal of Psychology, 137(1), 85–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980309600601
• Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2. ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
• Çokluk, Ö., Şekercioğlu, G., & Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2012). Sosyal bilimler için çok değişkenli istatistik: SPSS ve LISREL uygulamaları (Vol. 2). Pegem Akademi.
• Davis, J.R., & Gold, G.J. (2011). An examination of emotional empathy, attributions of stability, and the link between perceived remorse and forgiveness. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(3), 392–397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2010.10.031
• Enright, R.D. (1996). Counseling within the forgiveness triad: on forgiving, receiving forgiveness and self-forgiveness. Counseling and Values, 40,107-126. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-007X.1996.tb00844.x
• Enright, R. D., & Coyle, C. T. (1998). Researching the process model of forgiveness within psychological interventions. In E. L. Worthington,Jr., (Ed.), Dimensions of forgiveness:Psychological research and theological perspectives (pp. 139-161).
• Fehr, R., Gelfand, M., & Nag, M. (2010). The road to forgiveness: A meta-analytic synthesis of its situational and dispositional correlates. Psychological Bulletin, 5, 894–914. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019993
• Fincham, F.D. (2000). The kiss of the porcupines: From attributing responsibility to forgiving. Personal Relationships, 7, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2000.tb00001.x
• Fincham, F. D., & Beach, S. R. (2002). Forgiveness in marriage: Implications for psychological aggression and constructive communication. Personal Relationships, 9(3), 239-251. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6811.00016
• Friesen, M., Fletcher, G.O & Overall N.C. (2005). A dyadic assessment of forgiveness in intimate relationships. Personal Relationships, 12, 61–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1350-4126.2005.00102.x
• Gordon, K. C., Hughes, F. M., Tomcik, N. D., Dixon, L. J., & Litzinger, S. C. (2009). Widening spheres of impact: The role of forgiveness in marital and family functioning. Journal of family psychology, 23(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014354
• Guerrero, L. K., & Bachman, G. F. (2010). Forgiveness and forgiving communication in dating relationships: An expectancy-investment explanation. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 27(6), 801–823. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407510373258
• Gülgün, S. & Özbay, Y. (2018). Subjective Peer Forgiveness Scale: Validity and Reliability Study.1. Anatolian International Multidisciplinary Studies Congress. Turkey: Diyarbakır.
• Haselton, M.G., & Buss, D.M. (2000). Error management theory: A new perspective on biases in crosssex mind reading. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 81–91. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.78.1.81
• Exline J. J & Baumeister, R.F. (2000). Expressing Forgiveness and Repentance: Benefits and Barriers, in McCullough, et al., Forgiveness: Theory, Research, and Practice. The Guilford Press, (pp. 133-155).
• Fenell, D. (1993). Characteristics of long–term first marriages. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 15, 446–460.
• Kachadourian, L.K., Fincham, F., & Davila, J. (2004). The tendency to forgive in dating and married couples: The role of attachment and relationship satisfaction. Personal Relationships, 11(3), 373-393. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2004.00088.x
• Kadiangandu, J., Gauché, M., Vinsonneau, G., & Mullet, E. (2007). Conceptualizations of forgiveness: Collectivist-Congolese versus individualist-French viewpoints. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 38(4), 432-437. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022107302312
• Karakose, S., Urs, M., Marshall, J. E., & Ledermann, T. (2023). Depression, anxiety, stress, and sexual satisfaction in couples. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2023.2166637
• Karremans, J. C., Regalia, C., Paleari, F. G., Fincham, F. D., Cui, M., Takada, N., ... & Uskul, A. K. (2011). Maintaining harmony across the globe: The cross-cultural association between closeness and interpersonal forgiveness. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2(5), 443-451. https://doi.org/10.1177/194855061039
• Karremans, J.C., & Van Lange, P.A. (2004). Back to caring after being hurt: The role of forgiveness. European Journal of Social Psychology, 34(2), 207-227. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.192
• Kaya- Akarsu, Ş. (2018). Üniversite öğrencilerinin ilişki istikrarı ile sosyal ilgi, ilişkisel benlik saygısı ve maneviyatları arasındaki ilişki. [The relationship between social interest, relational self-esteem, spirituality and relationship stability of university students] (Publication no: 527725) [Master dissertation, Gazi University]. Council of Higher Education Thesis Center.
• Kenny, D.A., Kashy, D. A., & Cook, W.L. (2006). Dyadic data analysis. Guilford Press.
• Kenny, D. A., & Ledermann, T. (2010). Detecting, measuring, and testing dyadic patterns in the actor–partner interdependence model. Journal o Family Psychology, 24(3), 359. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019651
• Knobloch, L. K., & Theiss, J. A. (2010). An actor-Partner interdependence model of relational turbulence: Cognitions and emotions. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 27(5), 595-619. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407510368967
• Le, B., & Agnew, C. R. (2003). Commitment and its theorized determinants: A meta–analysis of the Investment Model. Personal Relationships, 10(1), 37-57. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6811.00035
• Lewis, J. T., Parra, G. R., & Cohen, R. (2015). Apologies in close relationships: A review of theory and research. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 7(1), 47-61.
• Mamati, G. (2018). Heteroseksüel çift ilişkisi içindeki kadınlarda çocukluk çağı travmalarının ve semptomlarının ilişki istikrarı ile arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. [Investigation of the relationship between childhood traumas and symptomps of the investment model women who have a heterosexual romantic relationship]. (Publication no: 492060) [Master dissertation, Arel University].
• McCullough, M.M., Exline, J.J., & Baumeister, R. E., (1998). An annotated bibliography and research on forgiveness and related concepts. In E.L Worthington, Jr. (Ed), Dimension of forgiveness (pp.193-317). Templeton Foundation Press.
• McCullough, M. E., & Van Oyen Witvliet, C. (2002). The psychology of forgiveness. In Snyder, C. R., & Lopez, S. J. (Eds.). (2001). Handbook of positive psychology. Oxford university press.
• McCullough, M.E., Rachal, K.C., Sandage, S.J., Worthington, E.L., Brown, S.W., & Hight, T.L. (1998). Interpersonal forgiving in close relationships: II. Theoretical elaboration and measurement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 75, 1586-1603. . https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.75.6.1586
• McCullough, M. E., Pargament, K. I., & Thoresen, C. E. (Eds.). (2000). Forgiveness: Theory, research, and practice. Guilford Press.
• McCullough, M.E. & Worthington, E. L. (1999). Religion and the Forgiving Personality. Journal of Personality, 67, 1141-1164. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.00085
• Ogolsky, B. G., Monk, J. K., Rice, T. M., Theisen, J. C., & Maniotes, C. R. (2017). Relationship maintenance: A review of research on romantic relationships. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 9(3), 275-306. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12205
• Papp, L. M., Danielewicz, J., & Cayemberg, C. (2012). “Are we Facebook official?” Implications of dating partners' Facebook use and profiles for intimate relationship satisfaction. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15(2), 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2011.0291
• Pansela C. & La Guardia J. (2012). The role of sincere amends and perceived partner responsiveness in forgiveness. Personal Relationships, 19, 696–711. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2011.01386.x
• Penny, K. I. (1996). Appropriate critical values when testing for a single multivariate outlier by using the Mahalanobis distance. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series C (Applied Statistics), 45(1), 73-81.
• Riek, B. M. (2010). Transgressions, Guilt, and Forgiveness: A Model of Seeking Forgiveness. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 38(4), 246–254. https://doi.org/10.1177/009164711003800402  
• Riek, B. M., Luna, L. M. R., & Schnabelrauch, C. A. (2013). Transgressors’ guilt and shame. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 31(6), 751–772. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407513503595  
• Riek, B. M., & Mania, E. W. (2012). The antecedents and consequences of interpersonal forgiveness:A meta-analytic review. Personal Relationships, 19, 304–325. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2011.01363.x
• Rusbult, C.E. (1980). Commitment and satisfaction in romantic associations: A test of the investment model. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology,16(2), 172-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1031(80)90007-4
• Rusbult, C.E. (1983). A longitudinal test of the investment model: The development (and deterioration) of satisfaction and commitment in heterosexual involvements. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45, 101-117. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.45.1.101
• Rusbult, C. E., Agnew, C., & Arriaga, X. (2011). The investment model of commitment processes. Purdue University Department of Psychological Sciences. Faculty Publications. Paper 26.
• Rusbult, C. E., Drigotas, S. M., & Verette, J. (1994). The investment model: An interdependence analysis of commitment processes and relationship maintenance phenomena. In D. J. Canary & L. Stafford (Eds.), Communication and relational maintenance (pp. 115–139). Academic Press.
• Rusbult, C.E., Martz, J. M., & Agnew, C. R. (1998). The investment model Scale: Measuring commitment level, satisfaction level, quality of alternatives, and investment size. Personal Relationships, 5, 357-391. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.1998.tb00177.x
• Rusbult, C.E., Verette, J., Whitney, G.A., Slovik, L E, & Lipkus, I. (1991). Accommodation,processes in close relationships: Theory and preliminary empirical evidence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 53-78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.1.53
• Sandage, S. J., Worthington, E. L., Hight, T. L., & Berry, J. W. (2000). Seeking Forgiveness: Theoretical Context and an Initial Empirical Study. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 28(1), 21–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/009164710002800102  
• Schermelleh-Engel, K., & Moosbrugger, H. (2003). Evaluating the fit of structural equation models: Tests of significance and descriptive goodness-of-fit measures. Methods of Psychological Research Online, 8(2), 23-74.
• Seligman, M.E.P. (2002). Handbook of positive psychology. C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), In Positive psychology, positive prevention, and positive therapy (pp. 3-9). Oxford University Press.
• Seybold, K.S., Hill, P.C., Neumann, J.K., & Chi, D.S. (2001). Physiological and psychological correlates of forgiveness. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 20(3), 250-259.
• Sheffield, C.J. (2003). An Investigation of Relationships Between Forgiveness, Religiosity, Religious Coping, and Psychological Well-Being. [Unpublished doctoral thesis, Brigham Young University].
• Stoeber, J. (2012). Dyadic perfectionism in romantic relationships: Predicting relationship satisfaction and long-term commitment. Personality and Individual Differences, 53(3), 300-305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2012.04.002
• Sungur, M,Z.(2009). You, me and everything between us. (12 .ed). Goa Publishing.
• Şahin, M. (2013). Affedicilik ile psikolojik iyi olma arasındaki ilişkinin çeşitli değişkenler açısından incelenmesi. [Examining the relationship between forgivingness and psychological well-being in terms of different variables]. (Publication no: 336038) [Master dissertation, Sakarya University].
• Tangney, J.P., Boone, A.L., & Dearing, R.L. (2005). Forgiving the self: Conceptual issues and empirical findings. E. L., Worthington, Jr. (Ed.), In Handbook of forgiveness (pp.143-158). Routledge.
• Terzino, K. A., Cross, S. E., Takada, N., & Ohbuchi, K. (2010). A fresh look at forgiveness: A cultural perspective. Unpublished manuscript.
• Treas, J., & Giesen, D. (2000). Sexual infidelity among married and cohabiting Americans. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(1), 48-60. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00048.x
• Tsang, J. A., McCullough, M. E., & Fincham, F. D. (2006). The longitudinal association between forgiveness and relationship closeness and commitment. Journal of social and clinical Psychology, 25(4), 448-472. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2006.25.4.448
• Uleman, J. S., Rhee, E., Bardoliwalla, N., Semin, G., & Toyama, M (2000). The relational self: Closeness to ingroups depends on who they are, culture, and the type of closeness. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 3, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-839X.00052
• Uskul, A. K., Hynie, M., & Lalonde, R. N. (2004). Interdependence as a mediator between culture and interpersonal closeness for Euro-Canadians and Turks. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 35,174-191. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022103262243
• Uzun, K. (2017). Bağlanma stilleri ve evlilikte ilişki istikrarı arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. [Examining the relationship between attachment styles and relationship stability in marriage] (Publication no: [Master dissertation, İstanbul Ticaret University].
• Waldron, V. R., & Kelley, D. L. (2005). Forgiving communication as a response to relational transgressions. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22, 723–742. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407505056445
• Wieselquist, J. (2009). Interpersonal forgiveness, trust, and the investment model of commitment. Journal of Social and Personal Relationship. 26(4),531-548. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407509347931
• Williamson, I., & Gonzales, M. H. (2007). The subjective experience of forgiveness: Positive construals of the forgiveness experience. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 26(4), 407-446. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2007.26.4.407