Forgiveness and Mental Health: An Exploration of Jewish and Christian Approaches

Abstract

SUMMARY This study examined the relationship between forgiveness of others and mental health. It also explored Jewish and Christian approaches to the conceptualization and practice of forgiveness. Participants were recruited from several Midwestern US churches and synagogues. Participants answered self-report questionnaires concerning religiousness (religious affiliation, level of religious activity, Intrinsic Religiousness), situational forgiveness (Absence of Negative-AN; Presence of Positive-PP), dispositional forgiveness (Forgiveness Likelihood), conceptualization of forgiveness (Forgiveness Concept) and mental health (State Anger, Trait Anger, Hope, Depression, Existential Well-Being, Religious Well-Being). Consistent with hypotheses, after controlling for demographic/background variables, Forgiveness (AN) was positively correlated with Existential and Religious Well-Being, and negatively correlated with State Anger and Depression. Forgiveness (PP) was also positively correlated with Existential Well-Being and negatively correlated with State Anger. Contrary to hypotheses, no relationship was found between dispositional forgiveness and mental health. No significant differences were found between Christian and Jewish participants on measures of situational or dispositional forgiveness. However, Christian participants were more likely than Jewish participants to disagree that one should only forgive after the offender expresses contrition. Study implications and limitations are discussed.