Identity development and forgivingness: Tests of basic relations and mediational pathways

Abstract

Adaptive identity development leads to increases in personality traits that allow for social wellbeing. The current study tested this claim with respect to forgivingness, a dispositional tendency to forgive others. In a sample of university undergraduates (N = 214), we examined the relations between forgivingness and two indicators of identity development: commitment and exploration. Forgivingness uniquely positively related with both identity variables, controlling for the other. Next, we tested mediational models to examine the mechanisms underlying these relationships. Our results suggest that, in part, the association between identity development and forgivingness is mediated by levels of agreeableness and neuroticism, as measured by the Big Five Inventory.

Which came first, personality traits or identity processes during early and middle adolescence?

“…Previous studies focused on the association between domain level of personality traits and identity processes (e.g., Crocetti et al, 2008;Hatano et al, 2016;Hill et al, 2011;Hill et al, 2010;. However, to more precisely gain insight into how individuals differ from one another during adolescence, we need to focus on the interaction between facet level of personality traits and identity processes (Klimstra et al, 2013;.…”

Self-Compassion Promotes Personal Improvement From Regret Experiences via Acceptance

“…Forgiveness, in turn, has been associated with personal improvement. For instance, trait forgiveness has been associated with a tendency to perceive positive improvement from traumatic life experiences in a sample of Indonesian adults (Chang & Lin, 2012), and personal growth in a nationally representative sample of Swiss adults (Hill, Allemand, & Burrow, 2010). Also, receiving forgiveness has been shown to motivate corrective intentions (McCullough, 2000).…”

Exploring the links between identity styles and forgiveness in university students.

“…It appears that the informational style is indicative of the capacity to maintain self-control in response to adversity (i.e., ego resilience), particularly with respect to transgressions in the present context. Hill et al (2010) found that the relationship between the informational style and forgiveness was mediated by the big five traits agreeableness and neuroticism. It is possible that informational individuals display low levels of neuroticism and high agreeableness due to their high ego resilience.…”