Testing the factor structure of the Forgiveness Scale among Italian adolescent students

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to analysis the factor structure of the Italian version of the Forgiveness Scale (FS) among 663 adolescent students in Italy. The FS involves of 15 items measuring forgiveness toward the wrongdoer. This scale comprises two subscales, Absence of Negative (AN) and Presence of Positive (PP). These subscales evaluate the absence of negative and the existence of positive emotions, thoughts, and behavioural inclinations. Results suggests that only 11 of the original items are valid in the Italian version of the FS. In contrast to the original study, the two dimensions of forgiveness (AN and PP) were independent of each other in the current analysis. Evidence for convergent validity was also found. The results provide some initial support for the bi-dimensionality and internal consistency of the Italian FS and offer a starting point for future research to be pursued in forgiveness.     

Intra-couple similarity in dyadic coping and partners’ adjustment to the birth of a child

Unlike individual perceptions of a couple's functioning, couple-level protective factors against poor adjustment to the birth of a child have rarely been studied. This study examined similarity or reciprocal exchanges in dyadic coping (DC) during pregnancy (T1) and at 6 weeks postpartum (T2) and its associations with both partners’ adjustment at 6–9 months postpartum (T3). Ninety-two Portuguese couples provided data on DC, internalizing symptoms, dyadic adjustment and parenting stress. An individual's perceived similarity at T1 positively predicted his or her own internalizing symptoms at T3. One partner's perceived similarity at T2 negatively predicted the other partner's internalizing symptoms and parenting stress at T3. These associations controlled for stereotype effects (i.e., similarity due to shared cultural norms and values). Both partners’ adjustment seems to benefit from unique similarity within the couple after childbirth, while complementarity in DC during pregnancy appears to be more beneficial in the long term. Our findings suggest important refinements to DC-based interventions already aimed to promote similarity in DC.