Forgiveness-related motives: An Angola–Portugal comparison

Abstract

This study examined the structure of forgiveness motives expressed by young adults in two different countries: Angola and Portugal. A total of 483 participants (245 Angolans and 238 Portuguese) were presented with the Motivation to Forgive Questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a four-factor structure in both samples, namely: Forgiveness through restoration of sympathy, Forgiveness through morality, Forgiveness through love, and Forgiveness as recovery of mastery (in order of strength of endorsement). The Forgiveness through morality score was notably higher among Angolans than among Portuguese. This result is consistent with suggestions that Africans appear to have a greater disposition to forgive unconditionally than Westerners.