Apology in close relationships: The role of transgression-related self-esteem and self-image goals

Little research has examined the role of the self in relation to apologies in close relationships. This study (N = 77 couples) tested how self-esteem following a relational transgression predicts apology, and whether this association is moderated by self-image goals toward partners. Results indicated that self-esteem after committing a transgression and self-image goals did not uniquely predict apology. However, self-image goals and self-esteem interacted, such that those with lower transgression-related self-esteem were more likely to apologize when they had lower self-image goals; self-esteem was unrelated to apology when self-image goals were higher. These findings suggest that there is a synergistic effect between self-esteem and self-image goals that may facilitate apology. Future research should further consider the role of multiple aspects of the self in apologies in close relationships.