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Unravelling the link between self-control and relationship well-being: A mediational model of gratitude and forgiveness
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Publisher
Atlantis Press
ISBN
9789464639537
9789464639544
ISSN
2667-128X
Citation
Wong, L. T. H., & Ngai, J. T. K (2025). Unravelling the link between self-control and relationship well-being: A mediational model of gratitude and forgiveness. In Chan, A. C. K., Lai, L. C. H., Lau, E. Y. Y., Kong, R. H. M., Chui, R. C. F., Lam, B. Y. H., Lee, T. C. P., Tsui, I. S. Y., & Leung, M. (Eds.). Proceedings of the Positive Psychology 2.0 International Conference 2025 (PP 2.0 2025). Positive Psychology 2.0 International Conference 2025 (PP 2.0 2025), Tung Wah College, Hong Kong (pp. 60-78). Atlantis Press.
Description
Open access
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Healthy relationships are fundamental to individual, familial, and community flourishing. While research on self-control, gratitude, and forgiveness in romantic relationships is expanding, their interrelationships remain underexplored. This study suggested that gratitude and forgiveness mediate the relationship between self-control and relationship satisfaction among Hong Kong adults. A total of 113 adults currently engaged in romantic relationships participated in the study. The findings indicated that gratitude fully mediated the relationships between self-control and relationship satisfaction. In addition, the combined influence of gratitude and forgiveness also demonstrated a full sequential mediation: self-control enhanced gratitude, which in turn fostered forgiveness, ultimately promoting greater relationship satisfaction. Conversely, forgiveness alone did not mediate the relationship between self-control and relationship satisfaction. The current findings help to fill the research gap and enrich the theoretical understanding of the processes underlying the association between self-control and relationship satisfaction. Gratitude is likely to play an important role in facilitating forgiveness and relationship satisfaction. The results imply that couple therapy interventions may be substantially enhanced by integrating techniques that promote self-control and foster gratitude. Future research should incorporate longitudinal and experimental designs to more conclusively determine the causal pathways linking self-control, gratitude, forgiveness, and relationship satisfaction.
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