INTRODUCTION

Forgiveness is an everyday practice that one adopts in order to maintain internal peace.
The act of forgiveness is considered as the highest practice in spirituality. Forgiveness or
the act of forgiving has a significant impact on psychological well being as it is directly
related to the interaction with varied levels of triggers and experiences affecting one’s
mental state. Modern Psychology intervenes and presents scientific studies relating to
forgiveness and psychological well being.

Psychology explains forgiveness as a person’s voluntary internal process of releasing

emotions and feeling or vengeful, negative thoughts, aggression and dissatisfaction
towards others who we believe has harmed us non physically or non-physically. It also
involves re-attributing ourselves towards internal self. Forgiveness is initiated by various
methods and techniques and may result in changes in cognition, wrongdoer’s behaviour,
our own emotional state, willful decisions, spiritual experience etc.. The variation in the
degree of forgiveness in an individual finds its explanation in the varied Personality trait
and higher levels of resilience. Different psychologists define forgiveness in a different
form by relating it to the theories and approaches in the broad spectrum of psychological
well being.

Forgiveness is a major research area of positive psychology with a perspective that is

worth pursuing every individual in order to have stable wellbeing and strengthen
character. Martin Seligman studied the reason to not forgive an individual because they
don’t feel justice is established if one forgives, it would mean to show love to the
wrongdoer and not the victim. The last statement deals with the attachment to the
emotion of revenge which is blocked by forgiveness. Everett Worthington and his
colleagues found satisfying search evidence that the practice of forgiveness has a
significant impact on one’s personality and saying forgiveness is an important aspect of
clinical positive psychology.
Woodyatt et.al (2017)highlighted another aspect of forgiveness is self - forgiveness. It is
described as the letting go of self resentment when one encounters his wrong deed and at
same time attracting more compassion, and self-love towards oneself. Self-forgiveness is
also a step forward in reducing anxiety which is one of the essential barriers in therapy
establishing itself as a major component of psychological well being.

Types of Forgiveness
Supporting scientific evidence psychologists have defined 2 major types of forgiveness
in their independent studies. These are still being explored - research and used in many
models which will be discussed in further sections.

1. Decisional Forgiveness: Diblasio (2000) gave important to willful decision

making and forgiveness based on will power. It relates to the decision one makes
to forgive the wrongdoer and also give him a fair chance. It is the cognitive letting
go or release of resentment and aggression towards others or oneself. It also
defines one’s self-concept and morals which in turn defines a person.

2. Emotional Forgiveness: Worthington et. al (2007) laid the definition of true

forgiveness. Stated that true forgiveness is granted from when complete negative
feelings are replaced. When the person has restored the previous feeling for the
wrongdoer only then complete forgiveness happens. At the end of this process, it
is often reflected as emotional change.
Models of Forgiveness
There are many models of forgiveness which were a result of intense and extensive study
but the most scientific and widely used are The Enright Forgiveness Process Model and
The Worthington REACH Forgiveness Model. These two models explore forgiveness
and its impact on psychological wellbeing presents conclusive results and scope for
further research. The techniques given in these models are used by psychologists and
counsellors.

A. The Enright Forgiveness Process Model

Enright (2001) proposed this model which later went through various changes. He
is the pioneer in the scientific research of forgiveness. He states four stages in the
process of forgiveness. His book on Forgiveness is a choice that explores these
phases in detail.
1. Uncovering Phase: The First phase focuses on uncovering about the
wrongdoer and the impact that person or situation had on the person. This
phase tries to seek answers to questions like WHAT and WHO. It may
also lead to emotional pain and distress.
2. Decision Phase: This phase deals with the choice one makes to forgive.
His concept The psychologist works with the client to let go of the
negative emotions for the wrongdoer and have a positive perspective. It's
an important decision that one takes in life.
3. Work Phase: This phase emphasises on changing the perception about the
wrongdoer and understanding their circumstances. The working phase
deals with emotions like empathy once they have understood the situation
or the background under which they were harmed. Sometimes the enabler
also tries to reflect the client’s flaws which may have caused a
misconception. After this, small steps are taken to build trust and positive
emotions.
4. Deepening Phase: In the last phase the person realises that forgiveness is
giving emotional relief and feels a need to forgive the other person. The
negative emotions are released for the wrongdoer and there is a rise in
personal growth.
B. The Worthington REACH Forgiveness Model
Worthington (1998) introduced the REACH model of forgiveness. His efforts
and extensive work in this field was motivated by his mother’s death in 1996. He
gave the REACH model of Forgiveness where the acronym tells the stages in the
model.
R = Recall : The first step involves thinking about the event that caused hurt or
pain. The person visualise and stick to rational facts about the event
E = Empathized : The person thinks from the perspective of the wrongdoer and
tries to understand the cause of hurt.
A = Altruistic Gift : This step involves giving forgiveness to the wrongdoer. The
clients are reminded of the time they were wrong and are made to compare the
two states. This make it little easier to forgive
C = Commit : When one takes the decision to give forgiveness, this step involves
staying committed to that decision. Clients are made to write and keep reminding
themselves about forgiveness.
H = Hold onto Forgiveness : This last step involves in holding on to that feeling
and continuously reminding oneself about it. This step also helps in realizing that
a person not only forgives and impart positive emotions but also learns from the
experience, which would enable him to not repeat it.

It is very important to keep repeating the steps given in both the models.
Forgiveness may take many years because it's the letting go of emotions and
feelings. However these techniques help in maintaining the psychological well
being and all its aspects. The process lessens down the intensity of the negative
emotions.
Psychological Well - Being
Psychological well being is sometimes defined as a positive mental state or happiness.
Scientifically psychological well being has parts. The first part involves the happy
emotions and the positive feelings, which is often called as subjective happiness. The
second part involves the meaning making of life and the actions.

1. Hedonic well being : It refers to the personal or subjective feeling of satisfaction

and happiness. It comprises two components, i.e the affective component and the
cognitive component. It is mainly concerned with imparting positive emotions.
2. Eudaimonic well being : It is not a commonly used term but an important aspect
of psychological well being.
Ryff (1995) proposed a very objective and clear model that explains the
eudaimonic well being. It is widely studied and used. The model is called the Six-
factor Model of Psychological Well-being. The models present a structural
framework for understanding the dynamic nature of psychological well being.
This theory proposed that daily experiences help in maintaining the balance in
PWB. Increase in positive experience lead to an increase in PWB and negative
experiences lead to decrease in PWB.
a. Self acceptance : High scores indicates a positive outlook towards oneself.
Additionally, surfaces high self confidence.
b. Environmental mastery : High scores obtained indicate the effective use of
resources to tackle and overcome the environmental factors in daily lives.
It also indicated high self efficacy.
c. Positive relationships : High scores indicates active involvement in
purposeful relationships with optimum levels of empathy, sympathy,
compassion and affection.
d. Personal growth : High scores indicate a person's will to learn from
experiences and is open to new experiences for the improvement of one's
behaviour.
 e. Purpose of life : High scores indicate respondent;s goal oriented behaviour
and meaning making in life.
f. Autonomy : High scores indicates the capability to regulate actions and
behaviours in social pressure

AIM - To study the relation between forgiveness and psychological well

being.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Long, Worthington, VanderWeele and Chen (2020) studied forgiveness of others and
subsequent health and well-being in mid-life as a longitudinal study on female nurses.
They studied the association of forgiveness and mental and physical well being. This
study used longitudinal data from the Nurses' Health Study II as a base to conduct the
present study on female nurses in the United States. The results indicated that forgiveness
is positively associated with improved mental well being and reduced psychological
distress. They concluded that forgiveness is a health asset for promoting mental and
psychological well being.

Fincham and May (2019) investigated self-forgiveness and well-being and does divine
forgiveness matter. They initiated research to study the interplay of divine forgiveness to
understand the correlation between self-forgiveness and psychological well being. Data
collected from a sample of 435 young adults study was standardised by controlling the
statistics of religiosity factor. The psychological well being was separately related to self-
forgiveness and divine forgiveness. Another finding suggested that depressive symptoms
were substantially less in people who believed largely divine forgiveness and were low in
self-forgiveness. This also stated further implications.

Roxas, David and Arta (2019) studied compassion, forgiveness and subjective well-being
among filipino counseling professionals. The study put forward a model showing
theoretical concepts associating self and other compassion self and other forgiveness thus
predicting subjective well being. The sample size for the survey was 231 including males
and females, which were given a self-report questionnaire. The model was tested using a
structural equation approach. The findings showed that self-compassion leads to more
self-forgiveness and forgiveness to others however in the opposite scenario one may not
be self-forgiving. The hypothesized notion stands proved and the study is presented with
limitations and implication in the field of counselling.
Chen, Harris, Worthington and VanderWeele (2019) did a study on religiously or
spiritually-motivated forgiveness and subsequent health and well-being among young
adult as an outcome-wide analysis. The data was collected from previously done studies
and the then ongoing studies. Models were controlled from the religious, socioeconomic
aspects. All the outcomes resulted in a positive association of forgiveness with
psychological well being and was inversely proportional to stress and depression. Even
though the association was less with physical health, study showed that it led to a better
mental well being.

Lichtenfeld, Maier, Buechner and Fernández Capo (2019) researched the influence of
decisional and emotional forgiveness on attributions. The study showcased the first
empirical finding stating the influence of emotional forgiveness. They found that people
who emotionally forgave the wrongdoers hold that person less responsible for the offence
as compared to decisional forgiveness and control condition. The study also laid a
backbackground for further clinical research by presenting evidence showing how
emotional forgiveness impacts cognition.

Quintana- Orts and Rey (2018) investigated traditional bullying, cyberbullying and
mental health in early adolescents and forgiveness as a protective factor of peer
Victimisation. The study was conducted to investigate the impact of forgiveness in
stabilizing mental health after cyberbullying before it takes the shape of chronic diseases.
The data was collected using questionnaire batteries from a sample size of 1044
victimised and cyber victimised adolescents. The study found that those with high levels
of forgiveness reported more sense of satisfaction and less suicidal temperament risk. The
study laid future aspects for continuation and found a relationship between forgiveness
after bullying and mental health.
Akhtar and Barlow (2018) did a meta analysis on forgiveness therapy for the promotion
of mental well-being, in a systematic review and meta-analysis. They reviewed the
efficiency of forgiveness and its effects on adolescents who have experienced a wide
range of violence. Under controlled condition data was collected through an electronic
database. To examine the results Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and confidence
intervals (CIs) were used. The results strongly proposed that forgiving interpersonal and
interpersonal offences efficiently promotes better mental well being in terms of positive
emotions and satisfaction. The study also led to further research.

Griffin, Worthington, Davis, Hook and Maguen (2018) did a scientific study on
development of the self-forgiveness dual-process scale. They investigated self
forgiveness taking The Social Cognitive Theory as a baseline and proposed Self-
Forgiveness Dual-Process Scale. This was to study the impact of value reorientation
(VRO) and esteem restoration (ERS) after interpersonal offences. The findings supported
the concept of self forgiveness proposed earlier. The study also revealed the role of value
reorientation and esteem restoration on overall functioning.

Yao, Chen, Yu and Sang (2017) examined mediator roles of interpersonal forgiveness
and self-forgiveness between self-esteem and subjective well-being. The study was
directed towards intrapersonal and interpersonal forgiveness. The data was collected from
a questionnaire packet which consisted of Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Heartland
Forgiveness Scale, and Subjective Well-Being Scale given to 475 college students.
Bootstrap results and Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that self esteem is
mediated by interpersonal and intrapersonal forgiveness towards subjective well being.
Toussaint, Shields, Dorn, and Slavich (2016) studied the effects of lifetime stress
exposure on mental and physical health in young adulthood: How stress degrades and
forgiveness protects health. They examined the risk and relisinec factors affecting health
by examining the dispositional forgiveness and other elements. The sample was taken as
148 young adults. High stress levels leading to worse mental health was predicted due to
low levels of forgiveness. The study was the first one to evaluate stress and forgiveness,
showing that the people who practice forgiveness have lower levels of stress. This
concluded that forgiveness techniques may minimise stress related disorders.

Van der Wal, Karremans, J., and Cillessen (2016) investigated interpersonal forgiveness
and psychological well-being in late childhood. They examined the relationship between
forgiveness and psychological well being in students. The data was collected from a
sample of 275 students from the age group of 9 to 13 years old. The study surfaced the
relationship between the two variables and indicated a strong association between them.
They also found that psychological well being for more when forgiveness was towards
friends rather than non friend. The hypothesis was proven correct and further
implementation was discussed.

Yalçın and Malkoç (2014) studied the relationship between meaning in life and
subjective well-being: forgiveness and hope as Mediators. The study focused on
investigating forgiveness and hope as mediators in the association between meaning in
life and subjective well being. The data was collected through The Meaning in Life
Questionnaire, the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience, the Satisfaction with Life
Scale, the State Hope Scale, the Dispositional Hope Scale, the Heartland Forgiveness
Scale, and the demographic information form, from sample of 482 university students.
The results strongly indicated a direct association and helped in knowing the factors
associated with subject well being. This study was helpful in the counselling session.
Chan (2013) invested whether forgiveness and gratitude have an impact on subjective well
being. The sample size consisted of 143 Hong Kong teachers. The results show a strong
and positive correlation between the factors of subjective well being and forgiveness. The
resorts concluded that the subjective well being is more than just happiness. The study was
applied to forge the negative effects of well being in these teachers and enhancement of
positive orientation.

Sandage and Jankowski (2010) studies the various mediator effects on the differentiation of
self. They study based on the Bowenian theory and Volfian theology, which states the
relationship between dispositional forgiveness and spiritual and mental well being. The data
was collected from a sample of 213 graduate students. The proposed was proven right with
a predicted relationship between forgiveness and spiritual instability, mental health
symptoms and psychological well being.

Breen, Kashdan, Lenser and Finchman (2010) examined the theoretical concepts
forgiveness and gratitude in an experimental design to understand its effects on emotional
vulnerability, positive psychological process and process involved in strengthening the
personality factors. The study found that forgiveness is more strongly related to the factors
than gratitude. It was also observed that the strengths observed were related to subjective
well being. The study laid further implications and scope for more research
DISCUSSION

The aim of this secondary research was to study the relationship between forgiveness and
psychological well being. Two, very important aspects of everyday life and are being
studied very extensively in the last 40 - 50 years. The initial idea of forgiveness draws
back to the start of humanity or the awareness about self and community and is an
essential aspect of life. In the recent year however, this factor is being studied and various
research indicates changes at cognitive, physical and affective levels. The research
mentioned above indicates the interconnection of forgiveness and psychological well
being. Different aspects of the same act as variables for many studies. These studies are
done by a vast range of psychologists across many countries including clinical, social,
educational psychologists, linking it with already existing theories on personality,
cognition and behaviour.

Earlier studies suggested that forgiveness is a mediator in the association of meaning

making in life and subjective well being. Subjective well being mainly indicated positive
emotions and feelings as variables. As years passed, more in depth researchers proved
that interpersonal forgiveness led to a stable psychological well being. The results
showed that dispositional and emotional forgiveness led to a stable mental state with
lower anxiety and stress level indicating personal growth and environmental control.
Studies mostly on university students across the globe suggested that the act of
forgiveness is more in friendly relationships than non friends. A clear result was drawn
from this study that positive relationships with close people affect well being and
forgiveness mediates this process. This was further studied in later research which
surfaced the link between high stress level with low level of forgiveness towards others.

Forgiveness not only an act towards others but self forgiveness is also important. It
directly affects one’s cognition. In a 2018 study, by Griffin and his colleagues, found
that self forgiveness helps in restoring self esteem and value. In another study, strong
correlation was seen in self esteem and subjective well being which was highly mediated
by interpersonal and intra personal forgiveness. Along with the social aspect of life
forgiving the wrongdoer in the virtual or digital world was reported as lower level
suicidal risks thus increasing an self esteem and and enhancing personal growth.
The act of forgiveness is reflected on the behavioural patterns of an individual which
inturn is related to his psychological well being. The first empirical finding on emotional
forgiveness surfaced a major effect on mental well being. Letting go of the resentment at
an emotional level was found to bring more satisfaction than decisional levels. Several
self repost, meaning of life questionnaires were used to conduct these experiments. The
subject nature of the findings were objectified by presenting theories giving it more
scientific basis. Forgiveness of oneself not only increases self compassion but also
compassion for others. Studies found that a compassionate person is more forgiving
which enhances his psychological well being. Such people find meaning in life and
realise their purpose.
Self reports and self journals collected indicate that accepting the wrongdoer and the
situation increases the process of forgiveness, resulting in lower levels of depression.
People believing in divine also showed similar results. These enable us to study more on
the spiritual aspect of forgiveness. Divine forgiveness is also positively associated with
psychological well being. Irrespective of the religion, divine forgiveness does give a
mental validation enhancing self acceptance. Forgiveness is also seen in work places,
where minute activities may affect other people. In such areas distress is increased
leading to lower productivity. Forgiveness towards others decreases psychological
distress. These changes in the cognition and perception minutely affect our thoughts and
actions.
Recent studies have also found that forgiveness increases the acceptance levels in
romantic relationships thus building efficient positive relations. The everyday practice as
indicated by these researchers shows that forgiveness is intermingled with our well being.
Every aspect of the PWB is affected by the act of forgiveness. This positive correlation
and association with well being is extensively used in clinical settings . Forgiveness
combined with gratitude helps the client release emotional distress and resentment of past
events and people thus stabilizing the mind. Different factors of the PWB affected by this
act makes a person more adaptable, positive towards life.
CONCLUSION

The relation between forgiveness and psychological well being is seen through various
researches presented in the above sections. It can be concluded that there is a direct
proportionality between forgiveness and psychological well being. It brings satisfaction
and a positive perspective on life. Reduced stress and anxiety levels indicates an
enhancement in self acceptance. The subject well being aspect is also seen on an
upgrading scale through interpersonal and intrapersonal forgiveness. Its effects on
cognition also states that the act of forgiving impacts out thinking and acts. This reflects
in our relationship with others defining our social environment control. Forgiveness is not
only forgetting the past but accepting and fully exchanging the negative emotions with
positive.
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