The interaction between forgiveness and resentment on mental health outcomes: two sides of the same coin?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Forgiveness is a foundational tenet across all religions that has consistently been shown to be related to positive health outcomes. Although specific theoretical dimensions of “forgiveness” have been proposed (e.g., decisional, emotional, dispositional), there is limited evidence to suggest that they are statistically distinct constructs. However, a recent factor analysis (Yoon et al., 2022) indicated that a frequently used measure of forgiveness (i.e., Trait Forgiveness Scale) is composed of statistically distinct behavioral (i.e., willingness to forgive) and affective dimensions (i.e., resentment). Given this finding, the current study determined how these empirically distinct constructs interact to influence health. Based on 322 primarily Christian undergraduate students the results indicated: 1) willingness to forgive and resentment are significantly negatively correlated but distinct constructs; 2) religiosity is related to forgiveness but not resentment; 3) forgiveness, resentment, and their interaction are all significantly related to mental (but not physical) health; and 4) resentment partially negates the positive effects of willingness to forgive on mental health. Overall, the results suggest the need to differentiate behavioral and affective dimensions of forgiveness, that religious beliefs may promote forgiveness but not reduce resentment, and that both willingness to forgive and reducing resentment are important in promoting positive health.