Psychology Research and Behavior Management (Dec 2021)
The Psychological Meaning of Self-Forgiveness in a Collectivist Context and the Measure Development
Abstract
Hsin-Ping Hsu Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, TaiwanCorrespondence: Hsin-Ping HsuDepartment of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan, 701, TaiwanTel +886-6-2757575#56510Email [email protected]: Self-forgiveness requires a cognitive reframing of one’s views of the self. It may be a positive situational strength, and it has been shown that higher levels of self-forgiveness are related to well-being and a specific personality type. However, the concept, per se, and the inner healing process of self-forgiveness are still unclear because of a lack of cultural awareness in this research field. The current research aimed to conduct a conceptual analysis in a collectivist context and create an optional measurement scale for assessing self-forgiveness in a target population.Methods and Results: In Study 1, using multidimensional scaling (MDS), the findings suggested that the conceptual structure of self-forgiveness among Taiwanese participants (N = 232) can be categorized into three dimensions: embodied awareness, positive change, and wisdom growth. The scale was created by using item analysis, factor analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, and correlation analyses in Study 2 (N = 231) and Study 3 (N = 805), the scale was found to have adequate reliability and validity, and the scores correlated with measures of self-control and resilience.Conclusion: The constructs of self-forgiveness among a sample in Taiwan have three basic psychological meanings. The measure designed here is supported by adequate psychometric evidence. Further research will be necessary to increase the understanding of self-forgiveness cross-culturally, provide additional empirical validation and methodological refinement within different target groups, and investigate intra-individual positive strength change for the improvement and practical application of the current measurement tool.Keywords: cultural mind, resilience, positive psychology, self-control, self-forgiveness, well-being
