Impact of Forgiveness on Marital Trust: Mediating Role of Emotional Reconciliation

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effect of forgiveness on marital trust with emotional reconciliation as a mediating variable among married individuals in Hong Kong. A descriptive correlational design was employed using a sample of 381 married participants, selected based on Krejcie and Morgan's sample size table for large populations. Data were collected using standardized self-report questionnaires measuring forgiveness, emotional reconciliation, and marital trust. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were conducted using SPSS-27 and AMOS-21 software. Assumptions for normality, linearity, multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity were tested and confirmed prior to the analysis. Pearson correlations revealed significant positive associations between forgiveness and emotional reconciliation (r = .62, p < .01), forgiveness and marital trust (r = .58, p < .01), and emotional reconciliation and marital trust (r = .55, p < .01). The SEM analysis demonstrated a good model fit (χ²/df = 2.14, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.045, TLI = 0.96). Forgiveness had a significant direct effect on emotional reconciliation (β = 0.62) and marital trust (β = 0.34), while emotional reconciliation significantly predicted marital trust (β = 0.37). The indirect effect of forgiveness on marital trust through emotional reconciliation was also significant (β = 0.23), indicating a partial mediating role. The total effect of forgiveness on marital trust was substantial (β = 0.57, p < .001). The findings suggest that forgiveness enhances marital trust both directly and indirectly through emotional reconciliation. These results underscore the importance of promoting emotional repair strategies in marital relationships to rebuild trust following interpersonal conflicts.