Forgiveness predictors and trust in a digital age

Abstract

This article describes how interpersonal relationships structures and standards are evolving. By focusing on a social network context, this study examined different factors that can affect forgiveness decision of a victim of an online offense. In addition, it inspected whether the decrease of trust after an online-related offense can be affected by forgiveness. 323 participants took part in this study by completing a questionnaire that recorded different measurements. Structural equation modeling was used as the main technique for data analysis, and AMOS was used as a tool. Surprisingly, while empathy and commitment had no significant direct effect, results showed that the severity of the offense, its frequency and pretransgression trust are the main factors that influence forgiveness. Moreover, a victim's trust towards the transgressor decreased much more in the absence of forgiveness than in its presence. A valuable contribution of this article is in the prospect for related future research as well as the potential for applications that explore new techniques to facilitate forgiveness in the digital age.