Forgiveness and conflict resolution in close relationships: Within and cross partner effects

Do forgiveness and conflict tactics (compromise, aggression, and avoidance) in response to conflicts istigated by aromantic partner's offence uniquely predict effective arguing and relationship quality predict effective arguing and relationship quality? Using 92 Italian couples we tested a mediational model in wich each partner responses to conflict preadict both partner peceived effective arguing that, in turn, predict their own relationship quality. For both men and women, negative responses to conflict (unforgiveness, aggression, and avoidance) overlapped and jointly predicted self-reported and partner-reported relationship quality, directly and indirectly via effective arguing. Positive responses investigated (bene- and compromise) did not overlap for either man or woman.