Author(s) :

Buchi , C. G., Nwankwo, O.D., Gideon, N.C., Nwazuluah, C. A..

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

This study investigated religious affiliation and emotional intelligence as predictors of tendency to forgive among undergraduates. The study was conducted using 204 participants (88 males and 116 females) who were conveniently sampled from undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Participants' ages ranged from 18-35, with a mean age of 22.86 and a standard deviation of 3.97. This research was a survey study that adopted a correlational design and linear regression analysis. Instruments used for data collection included: The Religious Affiliation Scale (RAS) developed by Omoluabi (1995), the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) developed by Dr. Nicola Schutte (1998), and the Bolton Forgiveness Scale (BFS). The results showed that religious affiliation strongly predicted the tendency to forgive, and likewise, emotional intelligence strongly predicted the tendency to forgive among undergraduates. Results support theoretical frameworks, including Cognitive Dissonance Theory and Social Learning Theory, which emphasize the role of religious and emotional factors in fostering forgiveness. The findings underscore the importance of integrating emotional intelligence training and religious teachings to enhance forgiveness behaviors. Implications for therapeutic interventions, mental health practices, and educational programs are discussed, alongside suggestions for further research on diverse cultural and religious contexts.

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