Indian Journal of Positive Psychology © 2018 Indian Association of Health, Research and Welfare

2018, 9(2), 258-262 ISSN-p-2229-4937,e-2321-368X

http://www.iahrw.com/index.php/home/journal_detail/19#list NAAS Rating 4.64

Effect of forgiveness on psychological well-being

Harmehak Singh and Urvi Sharma

Department of Psychology, G.G.D.S.D College, Chandigarh

The present research intends to examine the relationship between the two constructs of positive psychology i.e.
forgiveness and psychological well-being among females within age group of 18 to 21 years. Arandom sample of 50
female students is selected from colleges in Chandigarh. For this purpose, it is hypothesized that there exists a
positive correlation between forgiveness and psychological well-being. In this study, Heartland Forgiveness Scale
(Thompson & Synder, 2003) and Ryff's Psychological Well-being scales (42 items) (1989) is used to measure
forgiveness and well-being respectively. The relationships between them were examined using correlation analysis.
The results revealed significant correlation ( r= 0.461, p≤0.01) between forgiveness and psychological well-being
among females. It indicated that females high in forgiveness are more likely to show improved psychological well-
being.

Keywords: forgiveness, psychological wellbeing, females

The field of positive psychology was officially launched January Definitions

2000 in a special issue of the American Psychologist. Martin
Seligman is considered the father of positive psychology and the
initial group of positive psychology leaders also included Edward
Diener and Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi. Positive psychology was born
out of the need to redirect psychology back to its two neglected
missions: to make normal people stronger and more productive and
develop and nurture high talent. It is a branch of psychology that
complements the traditional focus on pathology with the study of
human strengths and virtues and the factors that contribute to a full
and meaningful life.
Definition
According to Shelly Gable and Jonathan Haidt (2005) "Positive
psychology is the study of the conditions and processes that
contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of people, groups
and institutions”.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a process (or a result of a process) that involves a
change in emotion and attitude regarding an offender. Most scholars
view this as an intentional and voluntary process driven by a
deliberate decision to forgive. Forgiveness involves the reduction of
negative responses to offense; however, it may also include an
increase in positive responses. It does not necessarily involve
restitution, retribution, reconciliation, nor does it require continued
victim vulnerability. It is a willful, reasoned, intrapsychic process
undertaken by the victim, irrespective of the offender. As such,
forgiveness involves affective, behavioral, and cognitive
components and is a motivationally and volitionally unique coping
mechanism. In sum, it can be defined as an absence of ill will.
Forgiveness can also be considered a multi-dimensional construct, it
can be studied as a dispositional or situational variable and its
dimensions can include a variety of targets (e.g., self, others,
communities, & God) and methods (e.g., offering, seeking, & feeling).
Corresponding Author:
Harmehak Singh
G.G.D.S.D College, Chandigarh
E-mail:mehaks900@gmail.com
According to McCullough (2008), "Forgiveness as a set of
motivational changes whereby an organism becomes (a)
decreasingly motivated to retaliate against an offending
relationship partner; (b) decreasingly motivated to avoid the
offender; and (c) increasingly motivated by goodwill for, and a
desire to reconcile with, the offender, despite the offender's
harmful actions."
According to Fitzgibbons (1986), "Forgiveness is a powerful
therapeutic intervention and as an intellectual exercise in which the
patient makes a decision to forgive."
REACH model of forgiveness
Psychologist Everett Worthington, a pioneer researcher in the field
of forgiveness, constructed a 5-step model to facilitate the process of
forgiveness. It is one of the techniques most favored by counselors
specializing in forgiveness and reconciliation. The five-step process
called REACH has been tested with positive results in more than 20
controlled scientific studies.
In REACH
R is for “recall”remembering the hurt that was done to you as
objectively as you can.
E is for “empathize”trying to understand the viewpoint of the
person who wronged you.
A is for the “altruism”thinking about a time you hurt someone and
were forgiven, then offering the gift of forgiveness to the person who
hurt you.
C is for “committing”publicly forgiving the person who wronged
you
H is for “holding on”not forgetting the hurt, but reminding
yourself that you made the choice to forgive.
Psychological well-being
Well-being is a dynamic concept that includes subjective, social, and
psychological dimensions as well as health-related behaviors. Well-
being is a multifaceted concept. It is often thought of as one of the
hallmarks of the liberal arts experience, resulting from educational
encounters that both guide students in the search for meaning and
direction in life and help them realize their true potential. The two