Dispositional forgiveness, within the framework of stress and coping theory, can be conceptualized as a form of anticipatory, future oriented coping. At the same time, its distinct dimensions, including self, other, and divine forgiveness, may serve different adaptive functions. The present study examined whether these dimensions (Toussaint Forgiveness Scale) are associated with levels of well being (WHO-5) and distress (DASS-21) across three monthly measurement points among young adult Catholics from a university community (N = 243; 68% female; M_age = 22.32, SD = 2.16). A parallel latent growth curve model with baseline predictors was estimated. The model demonstrated good fit (CFI = .994, TLI = .978, RMSEA = .042, SRMR = .020). Higher self forgiveness (β = .28, p < .001), forgiveness of others (β = .31, p < .001), and divine forgiveness (β = .15, p = .022) were all significantly associated with higher initial levels of well being. None of the forgiveness dimensions were significantly related to initial distress or to change over time in either well being or distress. Among the latent growth factors, only the covariance between the intercept and slope of distress was significant (r = −.43, p < .001), indicating that higher initial distress was associated with less increase in distress over time. Although bivariate correlations suggested a negative association between well being and distress, this relationship was not significant at the latent level. These findings suggest that forgiveness dimensions, each explaining unique variance, are associated with mental health primarily through the promotion of well being rather than the reduction of distress symptoms in a non clinical sample of emerging adults, which may be particularly relevant in the context of growing mental health challenges among younger generations.
Forgiveness Dimensions Predict Well Being but Not Distress: A Parallel Latent Growth Curve Study in Emerging Adult Catholics