Research Article

Forgiveness-related motives: An Angola–Portugal comparison

Published in: Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume 33 , issue 4 , 2023 , pages: 399–404

DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2023.2233224

Author(s): Paulo Alves Piaget Institute of Viseu, Portugal , Joana Neto Management and Information Technologies (REMIT), Portucalense University, Portugal , Maria da Conceição Azevedo University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal , Félix Neto University of Porto, Portugal , Etienne Mullet Institute of Advanced Studies (EPHE), France

Keywords: Angola , confirmatory factor analysis , culture , forgiveness , motives to forgive , Portugal

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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.

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