The Aftermath of Hurtful Events: Cognitive, Communicative, and Relational Outcomes

Abstract

This study explored cognitive, communicative, and relational outcomes associated with hurtful events in romantic relationships. Participants (N = 206) completed two surveys, two months apart, to examine uncertainty as a mediator between hurt and rumination and hurt and forgiveness, communication differences based on hurtful event type, and post-hurtful event relational changes. Fourteen types of hurtful events emerged, with infidelity (n = 47) and jealousy (n = 27) occurring most frequently. Self-uncertainty mediated the relationships between hurt and rumination, nonverbal forgiveness, and forgiveness through minimization.

Keywords::

• Forgiveness
• Hurt
• Relational Change
• Rumination
• Uncertainty

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Colleen C. Malachowski

Colleen C. Malachowski (Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2012) is an Assistant Professor in the Communication Department at Regis College.

Brandi N. Frisby

Brandi N. Frisby (Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2010) is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Instructional Communication and Research in the School of Information Science at the University of Kentucky.