The relationship between cognitive distortions and forgiveness in romantic relationships

Authors

  • Gökçen Aydın Middle East Technical University
  • Nasibe Kandemir Özdinç Middle East Technical University
  • Meral Aksu Middle East Technical University

Keywords:

Romantic Relationship, Cognitive Distortions, Forgiveness, College Students

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to find out the relationship between cognitive distortions and forgiveness in romantic relationships of college students. The sample of the study was 340 college students who have a romantic relationship at a state university in Turkey. The purposeful sampling method was carried out in this correlational study. In order to collect data, three instruments were utilized: Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale (ICDS), Heartland Forgiveness Scale and Demographic Data Form. The scales were put online to survey.metu.edu.tr and students having a romantic relationship were asked to complete the scale. In the present study, canonical correlation was conducted through SPSS 22 statistical package for data analysis in order to assess the relationship between two sets of variables: “Interpersonal Rejection”, “Unrealistic Relationship Expectation” and “Interpersonal Misperception” are the subscales of interpersonal cognitive distortions on one set and “Forgiveness of Self”, “Forgiveness of Others” and “Forgiveness of Situations” are the subscales of forgiveness on the other set. The study was significant because it might fill the gap in the literature and counseling field in terms of finding the relationship between two sets of variables to give a light to possible predictors in future research studying romantic relationships.

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Author Biographies

Gökçen Aydın, Middle East Technical University

Educational Sciences

Nasibe Kandemir Özdinç, Middle East Technical University

Educational Sciences

Meral Aksu, Middle East Technical University

Educational Sciences

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Published

2015-04-21

How to Cite

Aydın, G., Kandemir Özdinç, N., & Aksu, M. (2015). The relationship between cognitive distortions and forgiveness in romantic relationships. Journal of Human Sciences, 12(1), 1338–1349. Retrieved from https://www.j-humansciences.com/ojs/index.php/IJHS/article/view/3206

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Section

Guidance and Psychological Counselling