Forgiveness, Health, and Well-Being: A Review of Evidence for Emotional Versus Decisional Forgiveness, Dispositional Forgivingness, and Reduced Unforgiveness

Abstract

The extant data linking forgiveness to health and well-being point to the role of emotional forgiveness, particularly when it becomes a pattern in dispositional forgivingness. Both are important antagonists to the negative affect of unforgiveness and agonists for positive affect. One key distinction emerging in the literature is between decisional and emotional forgiveness. Decisional forgiveness is a behavioral intention to resist an unforgiving stance and to respond differently toward a transgressor. Emotional forgiveness is the replacement of negative unforgiving emotions with positive other-oriented emotions. Emotional forgiveness involves psychophysiological changes, and it has more direct health and well-being consequences. While some benefits of forgiveness and forgivingness emerge merely because they reduce unforgiveness, some benefits appear to be more forgiveness specific. We review research on peripheral and central nervous system correlates of forgiveness, as well as existing interventions to promote forgiveness within divergent health settings. Finally, we propose a research agenda.

Would you forgive Kristen Stewart or Tiger Woods or maybe Lance Armstrong? Exploring consumers’ forgiveness of celebrities’ transgressions

“…Moreover, Lee and Kwak (2016) point to a range of strategies that might be employed by consumers in relation to public figures' transgressions. According to social psychology literature, forgiveness is one of several strategies to respond to a transgression, such as seeking justice, reconsidering the perceived transgression as less harmful, re-evaluating the motives of the transgressor as being less hurtful or accepting the transgression (Worthington et al, 2014;Worthington, Van Oyen Witvliet, Pietrini, & Miller, 2007). Consumers might not be able or willing to execute some of these strategies, such as seeking justice, as the transgression was not committed against them or they are at a too large proximal distance from the luminary.…”

“…The findings suggest that forgiveness of a celebrity is predicated on the benefits the consumer stands to receive if they forgive, such as watching their favourite sports team succeed, resulting in greater self-gain. This was mentioned by several participants: Yet, self-interest appears to also be connected to self-protection as forgiveness is linked to the health and well-being (Worthington et al, 2007) of the consumer when protecting their self-concept (Escalas & Bettman, 2009b). After a transgression, Generation Y consumers showed a hesitance to turn their back on the celebrity due to their prior investment, the threat to the para-social relationship and the impact on their own life.…”

“…(Adam) Protecting the relationship to the celebrity also included protecting and supporting the luminary by showing empathy for their situation with a tendency to emotional forgiveness (Worthington et al, 2007), especially when the claims had not been proven at the time:…”

Kerendahhatian dan Pemaafan pada Mahasiswa

“…pemaafan juga membangun kesehatan mental dan fisik untuk lebih baik (Worthington & Scherer, 2004;Worthington, Witvliet, Pietrini, & Miller, 2007).…”

How do Elderly Individuals Build up their Forgiveness Perception?: Histories from Three Homeless Men from Colombia

“…Forgiveness is associated to mental health, physical health and psychological wellbeing [1][2][3][4][5] due to the liberation of permanent pain caused by intense resentment. It was possible to interpret the particular experiences and individual perceptions based on the data collected.…”