Abstract
Systematic research on divine forgiveness is notably absent from the literature on forgiveness. Two studies therefore explored the relationship between divine forgiveness and well-being, and what might account for any association found. Study 1 (N = 574) documented an inverse relationship between divine forgiveness and anxiety and showed that this relationship was mediated by attitude toward God. Study 2 (N = 430) replicated and extended the findings of the first study using a different measure of anxiety and documented a positive relationship between divine forgiveness and satisfaction with life. It also showed that both positive and negative evaluations of one’s relationship with God mediated these relationships. These results emphasize the need for systematic research on divine forgiveness, and several directions for future research are outlined.
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The raw data, analysis code, and materials used in this study are not openly available but are available upon request to the corresponding author.
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This research was supported by Grant Number #61802 from The John Templeton Foundation to the author.
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Fincham, F.D., May, R. Divine Forgiveness and Well-being Among Emerging Adults in the USA. J Relig Health 63, 2276–2290 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01678-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01678-3