‘Working Through’ Interpersonal Transgressions: the Role of Narration (and Re‐Narration) in the Self‐Forgiveness Processes of Wrongdoers

ABSTRACT This research examines how wrongdoers may use narration to ‘work through’ a transgression committed, towards self‐forgiveness and reconciliation. In Study 1 ( N = 30), reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify narrative types observable in wrongdoers’ storying of a recent interpersonal transgression, informing our conceptual framework. We developed a quantitative tool for assessing wrongdoers’ narration—the Interpersonal Offense Narration Scale (IONS) and, in Study 2 ( N = 349), used linear mixed modelling to examine how wrongdoers’ narrative processes develop over 72 h post‐transgression. Results indicate that past‐contextualization (contextual explanations) was related to genuine self‐forgiveness and willingness to reconcile; self‐contextualization (exploring identity (in)congruence) was related to self‐punishment and self‐exoneration; self‐distancing (big‐picture abstraction) was related to down‐regulating self‐punishment and self‐exoneration; and redemption (moral learning) was related to genuine self‐forgiveness and willingness to reconcile, and reduced self‐exoneration. The findings thus highlight the differential functions of distinct narrative processes for interpersonal wrongdoers working‐through their wrongdoing toward self‐forgiveness.