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Forgive to Live: Forgiveness, Health, and Longevity

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Abstract

This study examined multiple types of forgiveness as predictors of mortality and potential psychosocial, spiritual, and health mechanisms of the effects of forgiveness on longevity. Data from a nationally representative sample of United States adults ages 66 and older assessed forgiveness, health, religiousness/spirituality, and socio-demographics (N = 1,232). God’s unconditional forgiveness and conditional forgiveness of others initially emerged as statistically significant predictors of mortality risk. However, only conditional forgiveness of others remained a significant predictor of mortality after controlling for religious, socio-demographic, and health behavior variables. Mediators of the association between conditional forgiveness of others and mortality were examined, and a statistically significant indirect effect was identified involving physical health. These findings suggest that conditional forgiveness of others is associated with risk for all-cause mortality, and that the mortality risk of conditional forgiveness may be conferred by its influences on physical health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Luther College, Decorah, IA, 52101, USA

    Loren L. Toussaint

  2. Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Amy D. Owen

  3. Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Alyssa Cheadle

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  1. Loren L. Toussaint
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  2. Amy D. Owen
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  3. Alyssa Cheadle
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Correspondence to Loren L. Toussaint.

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Toussaint, L.L., Owen, A.D. & Cheadle, A. Forgive to Live: Forgiveness, Health, and Longevity. J Behav Med 35, 375–386 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-011-9362-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-011-9362-4

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