Forgiveness and Mental Health

Abstract

We report a decade review of studies conducted to investigate the relationship between forgiveness and mental health. The salutary effects of forgiveness among victims of offense are summarized according to four propositions: (1) Unforgiveness is a stress-reaction related to poor mental health, (2) Forgiveness is a coping strategy related to improved mental health, (3) Individual differences moderate the impact of forgiveness on health, and (4) Psychological states mediate the impact of forgiveness on health. In addition, perpetrators of offense who seek and receive forgiveness as well as perpetrators who forgive themselves experience better mental health. We conclude that empirical evidence supports the application of forgiveness as a mechanism to promote better mental health among victims and perpetrators of interpersonal harm.