The effect of forgiveness on one's mental health

Abstract

UDK: 613.86

Forgiveness as a phenomenon is a subject of the research work of many psychologists for the past thirty years. It is a very complex phenomenon that affects cognitive, behavioural, conative, and interpersonal components. There is a large number of theories of forgiveness, however, one of those theories states that forgiveness is a pro-social change in thoughts, feelings, and behaviour of the offended towards the offender. Psychologists analysed and found numerous psychological determinants of forgiveness and, established that forgiveness has a positive effect on one’s mental health. Furthermore, they explain that it reduces anxiety, and depression alleviates the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, and helps build positive self-esteem and hope thus improving the overall quality of life. These results have encouraged psychologists to create therapy models and techniques that are based on teaching patients how to forgive.