The Role Of Apology Proclivity And Perceived Apology Sincerity In Predicting Romantic Relationship Satisfaction Among Filipino Young Adults
Eunice Lumibao | Beatriz B. Gopez
Discipline: Applied Psychology
Abstract:
Despite the importance of apologies in repairing interpersonal con-flict and restoring relational harmony, limited empirical research has examined whether apology proclivity and perceived apology sincerity predict romantic relationship satisfaction among Filipino young adults. This study investigated the predictive roles of apology procliv-ity and perceived apology sincerity in predicting romantic relation-ship satisfaction among 418 Filipino young adults aged 21–35 years who were in committed romantic relationships. A quantitative, corre-lational-predictive research design was employed using the Proclivity to Apologize Measure (PAM), the Perceived Apologizer Sincerity measure, and the Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI-16). Data were ana-lyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rho, and multiple linear regression with heteroskedasticity-consistent (HC3) robust standard errors. The respondents obtained a mean score of 65.70 (SD = 12.90) in relationship satisfaction, a mean score of 5.89 (SD = 1.08) in apol-ogy proclivity, and a mean score of 74 (SD = 11.60) in perceived apol-ogy sincerity. Relationship satisfaction was positively correlated with apology proclivity (p = .47, p < .001) and perceived apology sincerity (p = .62, p < .001), while apology proclivity was also positively corre-lated with perceived apology sincerity (p = .44, p < .001). A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that apology proclivity (B = .12, p = .031) and perceived apology sincerity (B = .70, p < .001) significantly predicted relationship satisfaction, with the model explaining 57.0% of the variance (R2 = .570). Perceived apology sincerity emerged as the stronger predictor of relationship satisfaction. These findings sug-gested that the extent to which apologies were perceived as authentic played a more substantial role in relationship satisfaction than the tendency to apologize itself. The findings contributed to the limited literature on apology processes in Filipino romantic relationships and provided evidence to inform culturally responsive relationship coun-seling, psychoeducational programs, and interventions that promote healthy conflict resolution among young adults.
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