Implications of Divine Forgiveness for Conciliatory Behavior: Understanding How Feeling Forgiven by God Influences Apologies Via Self-Forgiveness, Gratitude, and Humility

In the current research, we tested the downstream effects of divine forgiveness (i.e., perceived forgiveness by God) on interpersonal apology behavior through two counteracting pathways: an inhibiting pathway through self-forgiveness, and a facilitating pathway through gratitude and humility. In Study 1 (N = 435), using recalled offenses, we found that higher perceived divine forgiveness was positively associated with self-forgiveness, which in turn was negatively associated with apology behavior. In Study 2 (N = 531), using recalled offenses and an experimental design, we replicated our findings from Study 1 whereby divine forgiveness (vs. control) promoted greater self-forgiveness, which in turn was negatively associated with apology behavior. However, we found positive indirect effects of divine forgiveness on apology behavior via the serial mediators of gratitude and humility. Together, these studies offer insight into how divine forgiveness can both hinder and encourage transgressors’ constructive responses to conflict through different psychological mechanisms.