Decisional Forgiveness Scale and Emotional Forgiveness Scale

Abstract

The Decisional Forgiveness Scale (DFS) and the Emotional Forgiveness Scale (EFS) are self-report instruments designed to measure two distinct, yet related, dimensions of forgiveness following an interpersonal offense. Developed by Worthington and colleagues (2007, 2008), the DFS assesses the behavioral intention to cease revenge and treat the offender prosocially, representing a conscious choice. Conversely, the EFS measures the affective replacement of negative emotions (such as anger and bitterness) with positive, other-oriented emotions (such as sympathy and care), reflecting a deeper emotional shift. These scales are foundational for researchers and clinicians seeking to study the process and outcomes of forgiveness interventions.

Keywords

Decisional Forgiveness, Emotional Forgiveness, Forgiveness, Interpersonal Offense, Psychological Assessment, Self-Report, Psychometrics.

Authors

Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Joshua N. Hook, Shawn O. Utsey, John K. Williams, Richard L. Neil, C. V. O. Vitvliet, T. Nir, Alan Dueck.

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the DFS and EFS is to provide psychometrically distinct measures for the dual components of forgiveness. This approach allows researchers to isolate and study the mechanisms underlying behavioral change versus affective change in response to transgression. The scales address limitations found in earlier, single-factor measures of forgiveness by providing a more nuanced understanding of the construct.

Clinically, these instruments are used to assess the efficacy of forgiveness-based therapies. By measuring progress along both the decisional (behavioral intention) and emotional (affective state) dimensions, practitioners can tailor interventions to the specific needs of the individual, tracking whether an individual has achieved mere behavioral cessation of hostility or true emotional resolution.

Construct

The scales operationalize the two major constructs of forgiveness. The DFS measures Decisional Forgiveness, which is defined as the voluntary choice to inhibit harmful intentions toward the offender and to adopt prosocial intentions. It is a commitment to change one’s outward behavior, irrespective of persistent negative feelings. The DFS is divided into two subscales: Inhibition of Harmful Intention and Prosocial Intention.

The EFS measures Emotional Forgiveness, which represents an internal, affective shift where unforgiving emotions are replaced by positive emotions toward the offender. This shift is often gradual and involuntary. The EFS is divided into two subscales: Reduction of Negative Emotion and Presence of Positive Emotion. The clear distinction between these two constructs supports the theoretical framework that forgiveness is a multifaceted process.

Validity

Initial studies by Worthington and colleagues established strong evidence for the construct validity of both scales. Factor analysis confirmed that the DFS and EFS loaded onto separate factors, indicating that they measure independent components of forgiveness, even though they are moderately correlated. This separation is crucial for demonstrating that decisional forgiveness is not simply a proxy for emotional forgiveness.

Convergent and divergent validity have been supported through correlations with related psychological measures. The DFS typically correlates strongly with measures of behavioral intent and reconciliation potential, while the EFS shows stronger correlations with measures of psychological distress, well-being, and empathy, thus confirming the unique contribution of each scale to the overall understanding of the forgiveness process.

Reliability

The DFS and EFS demonstrate strong internal consistency reliability. Although specific coefficients are not listed in the source text, published research consistently reports high Cronbach’s alpha values for both total scores and their respective subscales. These coefficients generally exceed the standard threshold of .70, often falling in the .80 to .90 range, indicating that the items within each scale reliably measure their intended components of forgiveness.

Factor Analysis

The underlying structure of the DFS and EFS was rigorously examined using factor analytic techniques. For the Decisional Forgiveness Scale, factor analysis confirmed a two-factor model: Inhibition of Harmful Intention (items reflecting avoidance of revenge) and Prosocial Intention (items reflecting positive or neutral engagement with the offender).

Similarly, the Emotional Forgiveness Scale demonstrated a robust two-factor structure: Reduction of Negative Emotion (items reflecting the decrease in bitterness, anger, and resentment) and Presence of Positive Emotion (items reflecting the emergence of care, sympathy, and love). This factor structure provides strong support for the theoretical conceptualization of forgiveness as involving these four distinct components.

Instrument

Test Type: Psychometric Self-Report Inventory

Format: The instrument uses a standardized 5-point Likert scale, where respondents rate their agreement with each statement. The response anchors are 1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral, 4=Agree, and 5=Strongly Agree.

Language Available: English (Original); translations are available in multiple languages due to the scales’ widespread use in cross-cultural research.

Population Group: General population; individuals who have experienced a specific interpersonal offense or hurt.

Age Group: Typically used with adult populations (18+), but also applicable to older adolescents who can comprehend the emotional and behavioral nuances of the items.

Population Details: The scales are applicable across diverse samples, including university students, community adults, and clinical populations seeking counseling for relational distress or trauma.

Test Methodology: Respondents are usually directed to focus on a single, specific offender or offense when completing the scales to ensure clarity and consistency in their ratings.

Keywords

Decisional Forgiveness Scale, Emotional Forgiveness Scale, Psychometrics, Positive Psychology, Relationship Repair, Assessment.

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Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Unknown

Affiliation Email addresses: Contact corresponding author through the Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Correspondence Address: Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scales were initially presented in 2007 and further developed in the 2008 unpublished manuscript. These instruments are generally available for non-commercial academic research and clinical use. Researchers are advised to contact the primary author, Dr. Everett L. Worthington, Jr., for formal permission and the most current version of the scales. The instrument can be found on page 39 of the paper “Decisional and Emotional Forgiveness: Conceptualization and Development of Self-Report Measures.”

Reference’s

The full instrument and further information are available online through the primary author’s assessment scales page:

http://www.evworthington-forgiveness.com/assessment-scales/

• Worthington, E. L., Jr., Hook, J. N., Utsey, S. O., Williams, J. K., & Neil, R. L. (2007, October). Decisional and Emotional Forgiveness. Paper presented at the International Positive Psychology Summit. Washington, DC.
• Worthington, E. L., Hook, J. N., Vitvliet, C. V. 0., Williams, J., Nir, T., Utsey, S. O., & Dueck, A. (2008). Emotional and decisional forgiveness: Construct validity, development of self-report measures, and psychometric properties of the instruments. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

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Items of the Decisional Forgiveness Scale and Emotional Forgiveness Scale

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

The Decisional Forgiveness Scale (DFS)

1. I intend to try to hurt him or her in the same way he or she hurt me.
2. I will not try to help him or her if he or she needs something.
3. If I see him or her, I will act friendly.
4. I will try to get back at him or her.
5. I will try to act toward him or her in the same way I did before he or she hurt me.
6. If there is an opportunity to get back at him or her, I will take it.
7. I will not talk with him or her.
8. I will not seek revenge upon him or her.

Scoring:

• 1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral, 4=Agree, 5=Strongly Agree
• Reverse code items: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7
• Prosocial Intention subscale items: 2, 3, 5, 7
• Inhibition of Harmful Intention subscale items: 1, 4, 6, 8

Emotional Forgiveness Scale (EFS)

1. I care about him or her.
2. I no longer feel upset when I think of him or her.
3. I’m bitter about what he or she did to me.
4. I feel sympathy toward him or her.
5. I’m mad about what happened.
6. I like him or her.
7. I resent what he or she did to me.
8. I feel love toward him or her.

Scoring:

• 1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral, 4=Agree, 5=Strongly Agree
• Reverse code items: 3, 5, and 7
• Presence of Positive Emotion subscale items: 1, 4, 6, 8
• Reduction of Negative Emotion subscale items: 2, 3, 5, 7