Forgiveness and Cardiovascular Functioning in Married Couples

Few studies have investigated the physiology underlying forgiveness, and those that have ignore the intimate relationship context. The present study, therefore, examined blood pressure and myocardial oxygen consumption, 2 indices of cardiovascular functioning, in a sample of married couples (n 90) recruited from the community. Both trait forgiveness and forgiveness specific to the spouse (dyadic forgiveness) were examined. The actor-partner interdependence model was used to examine actor (intrapersonal) and partner (interpersonal) effects of trait forgiveness and dyadic forgiveness on cardiovascular functioning. With marital satisfaction controlled, trait forgiveness yielded actor effects for both indices of cardiovascular functioning among husbands but not wives. However, the strength of the associations for trait forgiveness and dyadic forgiveness did not differ significantly between husbands and wives. This research is the first to model physiology through dyadic data analysis. These findings are discussed in terms of sex differences in forgiveness, and suggestions are outlined for future research.