Abstract

This study is aimed at reviewing previous empirical research on the relation between forgiveness and health, and exploring physiological mechanisms and psycho-social factors, influencing the relation. Correlational analyses have proved that a variety of forgiving and unforgiving responses are associated with health indices, either mental or physical. Studies of forgiveness interventions have validated the effects on health with a wide range of groups, including clinical populations. In this study, physiological mechanisms and psycho-social factors were explored as mediators or moderators for the relation between forgiveness and health. Unforgiving responses result in allostasis load, influencing sympathetic nervous system (SNS), cardiovascular, immune and endocrine systems. Conversely, empathy, a key component of forgiveness, increases positive affect and creates relaxed conditions within physiological systems. Future research on the relation between forgiveness and health should consider issues, such as an accurate definition of forgiveness, a comprehensive explanatory frame for the relation, focus on specific aspects of forgiveness, and applicability to previously excluded populations and health indices.