Forgiveness and conflict resolution in close relationships: Within and cross partner effects

Abstract

Do forgiveness and conflict tactics (compromise, aggression, and avoidance) in response to conflicts instigated by a romantic partner's offence uniquely predict effective arguing and relationship quality? Using 92 Italian couples we tested a mediational model in which each partner's responses to conflict predicted both partners' perceived effective arguing that, in turn, predicted their own relationship quality. For both men and women, negative responses to conflict (unforgiveness, aggression, and avoidance) overlapped and jointly predicted self-reported and partner-reported relationship quality, directly and indirectly via effective arguing. Positive responses investigated (benevolence and compromise) did not overlap for either men or women. Men's positive responses to conflict uniquely predicted self-reported and partner-reported relationship quality via effective arguing, whereas women's positive responses did not predict them independently of their male partner's tactics. © Universitas Psychologica Universidad Javeriana 2010.