Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Psychology
Date of Award
8-2011
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Jon R. Webb
Committee Members
Anea Floyd, Ginette C. Blackhart
Abstract
Although forgiveness has been associated with reduced anxiety in several studies, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder, the potential association between forgiveness and obsessive-compulsiveness has been generally unexplored. The current study examined the association between three dimensions of forgiveness and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms as mediated by locus of control (LOC) in a college student sample (N = 241). Forgiveness of self (FS) and of others, but not feeling forgiven by God, were associated with overall OC symptoms and with a majority of symptom subscales. LOC was limited in its role as a mediator that was restricted to associations with FS. Furthermore, LOC-Chance was the only dimension found to be a specific mediator, as control attributed internally and to powerful others did not mediate any of the forgiveness-OC associations. These findings are discussed in the context of both past and future research related to forgiveness, obsessive-compulsiveness, and control constructs.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Conway-Williams, Elizabeth, "Forgiveness Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms and Locus of Control in a College Sample." (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1339. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1339
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.