An Empirical Investigation Into Justice, Grace, and Forgiveness

Abstract

This study measured components of the relationship conflict and restoration model developed by Sells, Beckenbach, and Patrick. Data were gathered from 242 participants who completed a series of instruments used to measure constructs of relationship restoration. The authors proposed that the demonstration of grace, justice, empathy, trust, and forgiveness lead to relationship satisfaction. The path analysis confirmed the relationships between most variables. However, the path also indicated that trust was not an antecedent to forgiveness but instead emerged as an outcome variable, along with relational satisfaction, subsequent to forgiveness. Implications and suggestions for future research are made.