(photo by Harli Marten, 2016)

A new study by Australian researchers suggests that transgressions between couples may actually strengthen their relationship when the reconciliation process includes co-reflection. This growth is termed Post-Transgression Relationship Growth or “PTRG” for short. In co-reflection, relationship partners relationship partners working through the incident together (Thai et al., 2023). The researchers wanted to investigate how moral repair theorizing can go beyond a reparative lens in which individuals can only repair the damage to their relationships caused by transgressions. The researchers considered whether the reparative lens might not capture “the full range of potential ways that relationships can develop or change in response to wrongdoing.” In particular, the researchers felt that the reparative lens may overlook that relationships may in fact be changed, strengthened, or even transformed depending on how relationship partners respond to transgressions, (D. L. Kelley et al., 2018). The resreachers investigated whether interpersonal transgressions can be a catalyst for positive relationship transformation, or PTRG.

The researchers found consistent support for the prospective effect of co-reflection on PTRG in a series of measurements across two multi-wave longitudinal studies of couples. Their finding supports previous research that demonstrated the benefits of co-reflection for reconciliation (Quinney et al., 2024; Wenzel et al., 2023). The researchers also determined that there are potentially transformative effects on relationships with co-reflection and PTRG. Relationships can develop new relationship qualities or be strengthened via the dialogue that relationship partners engage in following transgressions. The researchers also conclude that the PTRG Scale used in their research with couples is a valid measure of relationship growth, whether the full scale or the short form.

The Bridge to Reconciliation Process that can be taught in Live and Forgive presentations, guided retreats, and small group series is a research-validated co-reflection process that brings two people together in reconciliation in a step-by-step way.

Here is the full citation for the article:

Quinney, B., Wenzel, M., Okimoto, T. G., Thai, M., & Woodyatt, L. (2025). Transformative Moral Repair Following Interpersonal Transgressions: Post-Transgression Relationship Growth. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672251358619

The full text of the article is available online.

This text is an original work of its author Tom Delaney and was entirely composed without the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

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If your parish or faith community is seeking a deeper experience of healing, mercy, and spiritual renewal, Live and Forgive is here to help. To begin the conversation, email Live and Forgive presenter and facilitator Tom Delaney at tom@liveandforgive.com—Tom will be glad to connect with you in a spirit of welcome, respect, and shared faith.