The Prediction of Psychological Well-Being by Exploring the Role of Forgiveness and Gratitude

Abstract

Purpose: In recent decades, positive psychology has been considered as an effective method in psychology. In the meantime, forgiveness and gratitude, which are assumed to increase individuals’ mental and physical health and social adjustment, have been of interest to psychologists. Therefore, this study examined the extent to which forgiveness and gratitude can predict psychological well-being. Methods: This research was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population of this study consisted of all students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, from which 211 students were selected as the research sample using available sampling method. In order to collect data, the Heartland’s Scale of Forgiveness, Gratitude Questionnaire, and the Ryff’s Scale of Psychological Well-being were utilized. Findings: The results of this study showed that forgiveness and gratitude have significant positive relationships with psychological well-being in students. Forgiveness and gratitude totally predicted 0.304 of changes in psychological well-being. According to the results of this study, gratitude (beta=0.345) and forgiveness (beta=0.306), respectively, play an important role in predicting students’ psychological well-being.