Abstract

This study explored the effects of negative and positive responses of spouse forgiveness and self-forgiveness on relationship satisfaction and life satisfaction, as well as gender differences in these relationships. Survey data was collected from 572 adults. The study’s findings are as follows. First, the association between spouse forgiveness and relationship satisfaction was stronger than the association between self-forgiveness and relationship satisfaction. Second, there was a slightly stronger association between spouse forgiveness and life satisfaction than between self-forgiveness and life satisfaction. Third, both negative and positive responses of spouse forgiveness, and only positive response of self-forgiveness, were significantly associated with relationship satisfaction and life satisfaction. Fourth, relationship satisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between forgiveness and life satisfaction. Fifth, gender had a significant moderating effect in the relationship between negative response of spouse forgiveness and life satisfaction. This study’s theoretical and practical implications, as well as its limitations, were discussed.