Exploring the Associations Between HEXACO Personality Factors and the Perceptions of Self,Victim,and Divine Forgiveness: Do HEXACO Personality Factors Uniquely Explain Different Types of Forgiveness?

Abstract

We are often encouraged to seek and grant forgiveness because it transcends into the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and spiritual realms. While the health and psychological benefits of forgiveness have been extensively studied, other types of forgiveness, namely, self, victim, and divine forgiveness have not been examined as thoroughly. This study explored whether HEXACO personality factors are associated with the perceptions of self, victim, and divine forgiveness in the context of the specific wrongdoing participants recalled. College students from a large Christian university (N = 275) provided data for the present study by filling out forgiveness and personality measures online. Significant associations between forgiveness types and personality factors were found, but not all forgiveness types were equally associated with different HEXACO personality factors. Regression analyses were conducted to determine which HEXACO personality factors would uniquely explain each forgiveness type. Extraversion uniquely explained all forgiveness types, conscientiousness uniquely explained divine and self-forgiveness, and openness to experience uniquely explained victim forgiveness. Discussion, limitations, and future directions are discussed.