Meta-analytic connections between forgiveness and health: the moderating effects of forgiveness-related distinctions.

Objective: We explore meta-analytic associations between health and forgiveness, testing a number of potential theoretical and methodological factors that could alter that association, including the type of forgiveness measure (e.g. state vs. trait), the type of health measure (i.e. physical vs. psy...

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Published in:Psychology & Health Vol. 34; no. 5; pp. 515 - 535
Main Authors: Rasmussen, Kyler R., Stackhouse, Madelynn, Boon, Susan D., Comstock, Karly, Ross, Rachel
Format: meta analysis research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd May2019
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: May2019
      vid: 34
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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        10.1080/08870446.2018.1545906
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        atl: Meta-analytic connections between forgiveness and health: the moderating effects of forgiveness-related distinctions.
      aug:
        au:
          Rasmussen, Kyler R.
          Stackhouse, Madelynn
          Boon, Susan D.
          Comstock, Karly
          Ross, Rachel
        affil: Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
      sug:
        subj:
          Forgiveness Evaluation
          Health Status Evaluation
          Personality
          Self Concept
          Health Promotion
          Human
          Systematic Review
          Meta Analysis
          Student Attitudes
          Aged
          Divorce
          Veterans
          Maternal Attitudes
          Blood Pressure Evaluation
          Hydrocortisone Blood
          Pain Measurement
          Depression
          Anxiety
          Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
          Heart Rate
          Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention and Control
          Stress, Psychological Prevention and Control
          Mental Status Evaluation
          Aged: 65+ years
      ab: Objective: We explore meta-analytic associations between health and forgiveness, testing a number of potential theoretical and methodological factors that could alter that association, including the type of forgiveness measure (e.g. state vs. trait), the type of health measure (i.e. physical vs. psychological) and the target of forgiveness (e.g. self- vs. other-forgiveness). Design: Our findings below reflect the meta-analysis of 103 independent samples consisting of 606 correlations with a total sample of 26,043 participants. The final sample included papers from 17 countries. The included samples were diverse including students, older adults, divorced mothers, combat veterans and others. Main Outcome Measures: Various health measures, including physical health outcomes (e.g., blood pressure, cortisol levels, bodily pain) and psychological health outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD). Results: We found a reliable overall association between forgiveness and health outcomes. The association was stronger for psychological health than for physical health, though associations with cardiovascular health indicators (i.e. heart-rate and blood pressure) were robust. Conclusion: The findings provided considerable support to current theorizing about the health benefits of forgiveness. It is plausible that forgiveness might improve psychological health and reduce cardiovascular stress.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        meta analysis
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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