Coping with Transgressions by the Romantic Partner: An Inventory Validation and its Correlation with Forgiveness

Abstract

Almost every person has to deal with transgressions committed by a romantic partner and faces their negative psychological outcomes, and coping strategies might be key to understanding post-transgression dynamics and forgiveness. We tested the construct validity of the Inventory of Strategies for Coping with a Partner's Transgression which include the emotion (E-FCS), problem (P-FCS), and meaning-focused coping strategies (M-FCS) scales. Results replicated the factor structure of each of the three scales through confirmatory factor analysis techniques, tested its reliability with the McDonald’s omega coefficient, and then correlated the scales with forgiveness and resentment, strengthening its construct validity. In general, the validity and reliability of scales were confirmed. Emotion-focused strategies showed a negative correlation with forgiveness, while problem and meaning-focused strategies had a positive correlation. These findings were discussed in the context of theory and their practical implications.