Forgiveness as a mediator of the relationship between PTSD and hostility in survivors of childhood abuse

Abstract

It was hypothesised that forgiveness mediates the relationship between PTSD and hostility within a population of adult childhood abuse survivors. Of the three components of forgiveness—self, other, and situation—self and situation forgiveness were posited as potent mediators of the PTSD and hostility relationship. No differences in the mediational role of forgiveness in sexual versus physical abuse and female versus male abuse survivors were hypothesised. As posited, overall forgiveness mediated the PTSD‐hostility relationship and the forgiveness of self and situation were strong mediators. The theoretical and applied implications of these findings are discussed.

Notes

Correspondence should be addressed to C. R. Snyder, 1415 Jayhawk Boulevard, 340 Fraser Hall, Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; e‐mail [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

C. R. Snyder

Correspondence should be addressed to C. R. Snyder, 1415 Jayhawk Boulevard, 340 Fraser Hall, Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; e‐mail [email protected]