A study to assess the relationship between the ability to forgive and biopsychosocial health
Authors
Marcus, Ann
Issue Date
2006
Degree
BA in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The current study investigated the relationship between forgiveness and biopsychosocial health. The relationship between forgiveness and neuroticism, agreeableness, religiosity and age were also measured. Participants were 124 members of the general public (42 males and 80 females, mean age 35.79). A correlation design was employed. The variables were forgiveness, psychological and physical health, neuroticism, agreeableness, religion, gender and age. An independent samples design was employed to investigate gender differences in forgiveness. A series of Kendall's tau_b correlation coefficients were applied to test for statistical significance. Results for psychological health (tau_b = -.258, p< 0.001, 2-tailed) and for physical health (tau_b = -.319, p < 0.001, 2-tailed) supported the hypoFinal Year Project. Results (U = 1629.50, p > 0.05, 2-tailed) revealed that although women had slightly higher forgiveness levels than the men there was no significant difference.