RT Article
T1 How forgiveness relieves anxiety: the role of differentiation of self
JF Journal of beliefs and values
VO 44
IS 3
SP 363
OP 378
A1 Kaleta, Kinga
A1 Mróz, Justyna
LA English
PB Routledge
YR 2023
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1853908568
AB Although forgiveness has been found to reduce anxiety, no research to date has examined the actual mechanism. This could be derived from Murray Bowen’s theory and his concept of differentiation of self (DoS). In the present cross-sectional study, we tested a model in which self-differentiation mediates the link between dispositional forgiveness and trait anxiety. The sample was composed of 216 individuals. Polish adaptations of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale, the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used. Results indicated that the three aspects of DoS (emotional reactivity, I-position, emotional cut-off) partially mediated the negative association between total forgiveness and anxiety. Emotional reactivity and emotional cut-off mediated the association between reduced unforgiveness and anxiety while positive forgiveness–anxiety link was mediated by I-position and emotional cut-off. The findings demonstrate that differentiation of self might be a mechanism via which forgiveness reduces anxiety after one has been hurt.
K1 Subjective well-being
K1 Anxiety
K1 Differentiation of self
K1 forgivingness
K1 Forgiveness
DO 10.1080/13617672.2022.2133427