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Article
Negative Interpersonal Interactions and Dating Abuse Perpetration: The Mediating Role of Dispositional Forgivingness
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
  • Rachel C. Garthe, The University of Chicago
  • Brandon J. Griffin, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Everett L. Worthington, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Elizabeth A. Goncy, Cleveland State University
  • Terri N. Sullivan, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Jennifer A. Coleman, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Don E. Davis, Georgia State University
  • Charlotte O. Kwakye-Nuako, Methodist University College Ghana
  • Thapelo Mokushane
  • Solomon Makola, Central University of Technology, Free State
  • Nkansah Anakwah, University of Ghana
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2018
Disciplines
Abstract

© 2017, The Author(s) 2017. Theory and research suggest that an individual’s negative interactions with his or her parents or romantic partner are associated with the perpetration of dating abuse. Research is beginning to explore the role of forgivingness within abusive romantic relationships, and these preliminary findings suggest that dispositional forgivingness might mediate the relations between negative interpersonal interactions and dating abuse. The current study assessed negative interactions with one’s parents and one’s romantic partner, the frequency of dating abuse perpetration, and dispositional forgivingness of others and oneself among a sample of emerging adults in college (n = 421). Dispositional forgivingness of others was negatively associated with the perpetration of emotional/verbal dating abuse and threatening behaviors, and it mediated relations between negative interpersonal interactions and dating abuse perpetration. Our findings suggest that the tendency to forgive others may explain why some individuals who experience negative interpersonal interactions with parents or romantic partners do not escalate to perpetration of abuse within their romantic relationships. Implications for future research and application are discussed.

DOI
10.1177/0886260517714438
Citation Information
Rachel C. Garthe, Brandon J. Griffin, Everett L. Worthington, Elizabeth A. Goncy, et al.. "Negative Interpersonal Interactions and Dating Abuse Perpetration: The Mediating Role of Dispositional Forgivingness" Journal of Interpersonal Violence Vol. 33 Iss. 15 (2018) p. 2311 - 2334 ISSN: 08862605
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/liz-goncy/17/