Title

Forgiving the Self and Physical and Mental Health Correlates: A Meta-Analytic Review

Authors

Don E. Davis
Man Yee Ho
Brandon J. Griffin
Chris Bell
Joshua N. Hook
Daryl R. Van Tongeren
Cirleen DeBlaere
Everett L. Worthington, Jr.
Charles J. Westbrook

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2015

Publication Source

Journal Of Counseling Psychology

Volume Number

62

Issue Number

2

First Page

329

Last Page

335

ISSN

0022-0167

Abstract

Self-forgiveness has been conceptualized as a coping strategy that may improve health and well-being. To better understand the functions of self-forgiveness, this meta-analysis examines the correlates of self-forgiveness associated with physical and mental health. For physical health, across 18 samples and 5,653 participants, the correlation was .32. For psychological well-being, across 65 samples and 17,939 participants, the correlation was .45. To augment this primary focus on physical and mental health correlates, we estimated the relationships between self-forgiveness and specific mental health constructs and relationship outcomes. Implications for future basic and applied research on self-forgiveness are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Published in: Journal Of Counseling Psychology, Volume 62, Issue 2, April 1, 2015, pages 329-335.