Why Do People With Self-Control Forgive Others Easily? The Role of Rumination and Anger

• Main Authors: Fanchang Kong, Haibo Zhang, Haishuo Xia, Bo Huang, Jingkuan Qin, Yan Zhang, Xiaojun Sun, Zongkui Zhou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-02-01
• Series: Frontiers in Psychology
• Subjects: self-control; rumination; anger; trait forgiveness; serial mediation effect
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00129/full

Previous research shows that self-control predicts forgiveness, but few studies have investigated the internal mechanism of this link. The current study explored the effects of rumination and anger on the relationship between self-control and forgiveness. A total of 580 college students recruited from three universities in Wuhan completed the self-control, rumination, anger, and trait forgiveness scales. Results showed that self-control was positively correlated with forgiveness (r = 0.34, p < 0.001). Rumination (β = 0.08, p < 0.05) and anger (β = 0.13, p < 0.05) mediate the relationship between self-control and forgiveness. Moreover, a serial mediation effect of rumination and anger was observed between self-control and trait forgiveness (β = 0.02, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that self-control may impair individuals’ rumination. Moreover, less rumination may restrain anger and consequently increase forgiveness.