Revenge attitudes and behavior differences: Exploring the predictive roles of embitterment and time perspective

After negative life experiences like humiliations and wrongdoings, some people pursue revenge while others forgive. There may be individual differences in revenge thoughts and behaviors. The present study tried to examine the relationships between embitterment, time perspective (TP) and revenge and to investigate the predictive roles of embitterment and TP on revenge thoughts. A total of 155 university students participated in the study and completed the Post-Traumatic Embitterment Disorder Self Rating Scale, the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory with the future negative items, and the Vengeance Scale. The results indicated that embitterment was positively associated with past negative, present fatalistic, future negative TPs and revenge while it was negatively associated with past positive TP. On the other hand, while past positive and future positive TPs were found to be negatively correlated with revenge, only past negative TP was positively correlated with it. When the cumulative effects of embitterment and TP dimensions on revenge attitudes were examined, only future positive TP was found to be influential along with the embitterment. Accordingly, highly embittered individuals were more likely to engage in revenge thoughts; but if those individuals have a future positive TP their likelihood of engaging in revenge decreased. Given the results, despite the increased levels of embitterment, having an open and flexible attitude towards the future would diminish the risks for lowered well-being that results from embitterment feelings and revenge itself. The clinical interventions and importance of therapy were discussed. Keywords: Clinical Interventions, Embitterment, Individual Differences, Revenge, Time Perspective