PRONENESS TO FORGIVENESS AS A PERSONAL COPING RESOURCE

Abstract

Among different theoretical approaches to the conceptualization of forgiveness there have been attempts to conceptualize it as a coping strategy, but the empirical data supporting the hypothesis are scarce. In this paper it has been empirically demonstrated that the groups of subjects formed with reference to the differences in the proneness to forgiveness appeared to differ in their choices of coping strategy types as well as in the levels of their well-being. The individuals with higher level of proneness to forgiveness demonstrated higher frequency of resorting to the panful problem solving, positive reappraisal of the situation and proactive coping. They are also characterized by a lower level of the emotion-focused coping, distancing, accepting responsibility, lower tendency to escape–avoidance as well as the lower proneness to self-handicapping. The participants with higher level of forgiveness manifest higher levels of psychological, subjective and social well-being as well as the higher level of the mental health continuum.