The forgiving personality: Describing a life well lived?

Relationships among dispositional forgiveness, potential mediating factors and health outcome variables were assessed. In 425 adults, 50-95 years of age, trait forgiveness was higher in women, in individuals older than 60, and in those who frequently attended church services. Trait forgiveness was associated with subjective well-being, depression, and stress. Forgiveness was associated with six dimensions of successful aging and with several potential mediators of health: healthy behaviors, social support, and spiritual well-being. Partial correlations indicated that all mediators played a role in the forgiveness-health relationships; however, forgiveness also made an independent contribution to psychological well-being. While the literature has focused more on the relationship of forgiveness to reduced negative affect, the present study indicates that its association with enhancement of experience, through existential well-being, personal relationships with others and personal growth, is even stronger. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.