1,503
Views
51
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

How forgiveness, purpose, and religiosity are related to the mental health and well-being of youth: A review of the literature

&
Pages 395-415 | Published online: 11 Jun 2007

References

  • Allport , GW and Ross , JM . 1967 . Personal religious orientation and prejudice . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 5 : 432 – 443 .
  • Al-Mabuk , R and Enright , R . 1995 . Forgiveness education with parentally love-deprived late adolescents . Journal of Moral Education , 24 : 427 – 444 .
  • Argyle , M , Martin , M and Crossland , J . 1989 . “ Happiness as a function of personality and social encounters ” . In Recent advances in social psychology: An international perspective , Edited by: Forgas , JP and Innes , JM . 189 – 203 . Amsterdam : Elsevier Science .
  • Ball , J , Armistead , L and Austin , B . 2003 . The relationship between religiosity and adjustment among African-American, female, urban adolescents . Journal of Adolescence , 26 : 431 – 446 .
  • Berry , JW and Worthington , EL . 2001 . Forgiveness, relationship quality, stress while imagining relationship events, and physical and mental health . Journal of Counseling Psychology , 48 : 447 – 455 .
  • Bronk , KC , Menon , J and Damon , W . 2003 . Youth purpose: Conclusions from a working conference of leading scholars , Stanford, CA : Stanford University Center on Adolescence .
  • Brown , R . 2003 . Measuring individual differences in the tendency to forgive: Construct validity and links with depression . Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , 29 : 759 – 771 .
  • Coleman , S , Kaplan , J and Downing , R . 1986 . Life cycle and loss: The spiritual vacuum of heroin addiction . Family Process , 25 : 5 – 23 .
  • Coyle , C and Enright , R . 1997 . Forgiveness intervention with postabortion men . Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology , 65 : 1042 – 1046 .
  • Crumbaugh , J . 1968 . Cross-validation of a Purpose-In-Life Test based on Frankl's concepts . Journal of Individual Psychology , 24 : 74 – 81 .
  • Dalton , J , Elias , M and Wandersman , A . 2006 . Community psychology: Linking individuals and communities , 2nd , Belmont, CA : Wadsworth .
  • Damon , W . 1995 . Greater expectations: Overcoming the culture of indulgence in our homes and schools , New York : Free .
  • Damon , W . 2003 . Noble purpose: The joy of living a meaningful life , Radnor, PA : Templeton Foundation .
  • Damon , W , Menon , J and Cotton Bronk , K . 2003 . The development of purpose during adolescence . Applied Developmental Science , 7 : 119 – 128 .
  • Darby , B and Schlenker , B . 1982 . Children's reactions to apologies . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 43 : 742 – 753 .
  • Davenport , D . 1991 . The functions of anger and forgiveness: Guidelines for psychotherapy with victims . Psychotherapy , 28 : 140 – 144 .
  • Davis , T , Kerr , B and Robinson-Kurpius , S . 2003 . Meaning, purpose, and religiosity in at-risk youth: The relationship between anxiety and spirituality . Journal of Psychology and Theology , 31 : 356 – 365 .
  • Denham , S , Neal , K , Wilson , B , Pickering , S and Boyatzis , C . 2005 . “ Emotional development and forgiveness in children: Emerging evidence ” . In Handbook of forgiveness , Edited by: Worthington , EL Jr . 127 – 142 . New York : Routledge .
  • Donahue , M and Benson , P . 1995 . Religion and the well-being of adolescents . Journal of Social Issues , 51 : 145 – 160 .
  • Dorff , E . 1998 . “ The elements of forgiveness: A Jewish approach ” . In Dimensions of forgiveness: Psychological research and theological perspectives , Edited by: Worthington , EL Jr . 29 – 55 . Radnor, PA : Templeton Foundation .
  • Dorff , E . 2000 . “ Religious perspectives on forgiveness ” . In Forgiveness: Theory, research, and practice , Edited by: McCullough , ME. , Pargament , KI and Thoresen , CE . New York : Guilford .
  • Elias , M , Parker , S and Rosenblatt , J . 2004 . “ Building educational opportunity ” . In Handbook of resilience in children , Edited by: Goldstein , S and Brooks , R . 315 – 336 . New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum .
  • Ellison , C and Smith , J . 1991 . Toward an integrative measure of well-being . Journal of Psychology and Theology , 19 : 35 – 48 .
  • Emmons , R . 1999 . The psychology of ultimate concerns , New York : Guilford .
  • Engebretson , K . 2002 . Expressions of religiosity and spirituality among Australian 14 year olds . International Journal of Children's Spirituality , 7 : 57 – 72 .
  • Enright , R and Coyle , C . 1998 . “ Researching the process model of forgiveness within psychological interventions ” . In Dimensions of Forgiveness: Psychological Research and Theological Perspectives , Edited by: Worthington , EL Jr . 139 – 161 . Radnor, PA : Templeton Foundation .
  • Enright , R and Fitzgibbons , R . 2000 . Helping clients forgive: An empirical guide for resolving anger and restoring hope , Washington, DC : American Psychological Association .
  • Enright , R , Freedman , S and Rique , J . 1998 . “ The psychology of interpersonal forgiveness ” . In Exploring forgiveness , Edited by: Enright , R and North , J . 46 – 62 . Madison, WI : University of Wisconsin .
  • Erikson , E . 1968 . Identity: Youth and crisis , New York : Norton .
  • Exline , J , Yali , A and Lobel , M . 1999 . When God disappoints: Difficulty forgiving God and its role in negative emotion . Journal of Health Psychology , 4 : 365 – 379 .
  • Fetzer Institute & National Institute on Aging Working Group. 1999 . Multidimensional measurement of religiousness/spirituality for use in health research , Kalamazoo, MI : Fetzer Institute .
  • Fitzgibbons , R . 1986 . The cognitive and emotive uses of forgiveness in the treatment of anger . Psychotherapy , 23 : 629 – 633 .
  • Fitzgibbons , R . 1998 . “ Anger and the healing power of forgiveness: A psychiatrist's view ” . In Exploring forgiveness , Edited by: Enright , R and North , J . 63 – 74 . Madison, WI : University of Wisconsin .
  • Francis , LJ . 2000 . The relationship between Bible reading and purpose in life among 13–15-year-olds . Mental Health, Religion, and Culture , 3 : 27 – 36 .
  • Francis , LJ and Burton , L . 1994 . The influence of personal prayer on purpose in life among Catholic adolescents . Journal of Beliefs and Values , 15 : 6 – 9 .
  • Francis , LJ , Gibson , H and Robbins , M . 2001 . God images and self-worth among adolescents in Scotland . Mental Health, Religion, and Culture , 4 : 103 – 108 .
  • Francis , LJ and Mullen , K . 1993 . Religiosity and attitudes toward drug use among 13–15 year olds in England . Addiction , 88 : 665 – 672 .
  • Francis , LJ and Pearson , P . 1987 . Empathic development during adolescence: Religiosity the missing link? . Personality and Individual Differences , 8 : 145 – 148 .
  • Francis , LJ and Stubbs , M . 1987 . Measuring attitudes towards Christianity: From childhood to adulthood . Personality and Individual Differences , 8 : 741 – 743 .
  • Frank , N and Kendall , S . 2001 . Religion, risk prevention and health promotion in adolescents: A community-based approach . Mental Health, Religion, and Culture , 4 : 133 – 148 .
  • Frankl , V . 1959 . Man's search for meaning: An introduction to logotherapy , Boston, MA : Beacon .
  • Fredericks , L . 2004 . A gathering on social and emotional learning, love, and forgiveness . Summary of proceedings at the conference of the Fetzer Institute . July 2004 , Kalamazoo, MI.
  • Freedman , S and Enright , R . 1996 . Forgiveness as an intervention goal with incest survivors . Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology , 64 : 983 – 992 .
  • French , S and Joseph , S . 1999 . Religiosity and its association with happiness, purpose in life, and self-actualisation . Mental Health, Religion and Culture , 2 : 117 – 120 .
  • Hadaway , C , Elifson , K and Peterson , D . 1984 . Religious involvement and drug use among urban adolescents . Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion , 23 : 109 – 128 .
  • Hargrave , T and Sells , J . 1997 . The development of a forgiveness scale . Journal of Marital and Family Therapy , 23 : 41 – 62 .
  • Harlow , L , Newcomb , M and Bentler , P . 1986 . Depression, self-derogation, substance abuse, and suicide ideation: Lack of purpose in life as a mediational factor . Journal of Clinical Psychology , 42 : 5 – 21 .
  • Hope , D . 1987 . The healing paradox of forgiveness . Psychotherapy , 24 : 240 – 244 .
  • Hyde , K . 1990 . Religion in childhood and adolescence: A comprehensive review of the research , Birmingham, AL : Religious Education .
  • Jones , A and Crandall , R . 1986 . Validation of a short index of self-actualization . Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , 12 : 63 – 73 .
  • Jones , S and Francis , L . 1996 . “ Religiosity and self-esteem during childhood and adolescence ” . In Research in religious education , Edited by: Francis , L , Kay , W and Campbell , W . 189 – 205 . Leominster, UK : Gracewing .
  • Joseph , S and Lewis , CA . 1998 . The Depression–Happiness Scale: Reliability and validity of a bipolar self-report scale . Journal of Clinical Psychology , 54 : 537 – 544 .
  • Karremans , J , Van Lange , P , Ouwerkerk , J and Kluwer , E . 2003 . When forgiving enhances psychological well-being: The role of interpersonal commitment . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 84 : 1011 – 1026 .
  • Kliewer , W , Wade , N and Worthington , E Jr . 2003 . “ Religion and spirituality, childhood ” . In Encyclopedia of primary prevention and health promotion , Edited by: Gullotta , T and Bloom , M . 859 – 867 . New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum .
  • Kloos , B and Moore , T . 2000 . The prospect and purpose of locating community research and action in religious settings . Journal of Community Psychology , 28 : 119 – 137 .
  • Konstam , V , Chernoff , M and Deveney , S . 2001 . Toward forgiveness: The role of shame, guilt, anger, and empathy . Counseling and Values , 46 : 26 – 39 .
  • Kovacs , M . 1985 . The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) . Psychopharmacology Bulletin , 21 : 995 – 1124 .
  • Krause , N and Ellison , C . 2003 . Forgiveness by God, forgiveness of others, and psychological well-being in late life . Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion , 42 : 77 – 93 .
  • Lazarus , R and DeLongis , A . 1983 . Psychological stress and coping in aging . American Psychologist , 38 : 245 – 254 .
  • Lazere , A . 2004 . On apology , New York : Oxford University Press .
  • Macaskill , A , Maltby , J and Day , L . 2002 . Forgiveness of self and others and emotional empathy . Journal of Social Psychology , 142 : 663 – 665 .
  • Maltby , J , Macaskill , A and Day , L . 2001 . Failure to forgive self and others: A replication and extension of the relationship between forgiveness, personality, social desirability and general health . Personality and Individual Differences , 30 : 881 – 885 .
  • Marsh , J . 2004 . Is anything unforgivable? . Greater Good , 1 : 9
  • Mauger , P , Perry , J , Freeman , T , Grove , D , McBride , A and McKinney , K . 1992 . The measurement of forgiveness: Preliminary research . Journal of Psychology and Christianity , 11 : 170 – 180 .
  • McCullough , ME , Bellah , C , Kilpatrick , S and Johnson , J . 2001 . Vengefulness: Relationships with forgiveness, rumination, well-being, and the Big Five . Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , 27 : 601 – 610 .
  • McCullough , ME , Pargament , KI and Thoresen , C . 2000 . “ The psychology of forgiveness: History, conceptual issues, and overview ” . In Forgiveness: Theory, research, and practice , Edited by: McCullough , ME. , Pargament , KI and Thoresen , CE . 1 – 14 . New York : Guildford .
  • Minehan , J , Newcomb , M and Galaif , E . 2000 . Predictors of adolescent drug use: Cognitive abilities, coping strategies, and purpose in life . Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse , 10 : 33 – 52 .
  • Newberg , A , d’Aquili , E , Newberg , S and deMarici , V . 2000 . “ The neuropsychological correlates of forgiveness ” . In Forgiveness: Theory, research, and practice , Edited by: McCullough , ME. , Pargament , KI and Thoresen , CE . 91 – 110 . New York : Guilford .
  • Newcomb , M and Harlow , L . 1986 . Life events and substance use among adolescents: Mediating effects of perceived loss of control and meaninglessness in life . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 51 : 564 – 577 .
  • Pargament , KI . 1997 . The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, and practice , New York : Guilford .
  • Parker , S . 2005 . Academic and behavioral effects of extending a character education program in low-SES urban middle schools , New Brunswick, NJM : Rutgers University . Unpublished master's thesis
  • Pearce , M , Little , T and Perez , J . 2003 . Religiousness and depressive symptoms among adolescents . Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology , 32 : 267 – 276 .
  • Peterson , C and Seligman , M . 2004 . Character strengths and virtues , New York : Oxford University Press .
  • Regnerus , M and Elder , G . 2003 . Staying on track in school: Religious influences in high- and low-risk settings . Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion , 42 : 633 – 649 .
  • Rye , M , Loiacono , D , Folck , C , Olszewski , B , Heim , T and Madia , B . 2001 . Evaluation of the psychometric properties of two forgiveness scales . Current Psychology: Developmental, Learning, Personality, Social , 20 : 260 – 277 .
  • Rye , M , Pargament , KI , Ali , M , Beck , G , Dorff , E Hallisey , C . 2000 . “ Religious perspectives on forgiveness ” . In Forgiveness: Theory, research, and practice , Edited by: McCullough , ME. , Pargament , KI and Thoresen , CE . 17 – 40 . New York : Guilford .
  • Sayles , M . 1995 . Adolescents’ purpose in life and engagement in risky behaviors: Differences by gender and ethnicity . Dissertation Abstracts International , 55 : 2727
  • Seligman , M and Csikszentmihalyi , M . 2000 . Positive psychology: An introduction . American Psychologist , 55 : 5 – 14 .
  • Seybold , K , Hill , P , Neumann , J and Chi , D . 2001 . Physiological and psychological correlates of forgiveness . Journal of Psychology and Christianity , 20 : 250 – 259 .
  • Spielberger , C . 1983 . State-trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (form y): Manual , Palo Alto, CA : Mind Garden .
  • Subkoviak , M , Enright , R , Wu , C-R , Gassin , E , Freedman , S , Olson , L and Sarinopoulos , I . 1995 . Measuring interpersonal forgiveness in late adolescence and middle adulthood . Journal of Adolescence , 18 : 641 – 655 .
  • Thoresen , CE , Luskin , F and Harris , AHS . 1998 . “ Science and forgiveness interventions: Reflections and recommendations ” . In Dimensions of forgiveness: Psychological research and theological perspectives , Edited by: Worthington , EL Jr . 163 – 190 . Radnor, PA : Templeton Foundation .
  • Toussaint , L and Webb , J . 2005 . “ Theoretical and empirical connections between forgiveness, mental health, and well-being ” . In Handbook of forgiveness , Edited by: Worthington , EL Jr . 349 – 362 . New York : Routledge .
  • Toussaint , L , Williams , D , Musick , M and Everson , S . 2001 . Forgiveness and health: Age differences in a U.S. probability sample . Journal of Adult Development , 8 : 249 – 257 .
  • Tutu , D . 2004 . Truth + reconciliation . Greater Good , 1 : 10 – 12 .
  • Witvliet , C , Phipps , K , Feldman , M and Beckham , J . 2004 . Posttraumatic mental and physical health correlates of forgiveness and religious coping in military veterans . Journal of Traumatic Stress , 17 : 269 – 273 .
  • Worthington , EL Jr. 1998 . “ The pyramid model of forgiveness: Some interdisciplinary speculations about unforgiveness and the promotion of forgiveness ” . In Dimensions of forgiveness: Psychological research and theological perspectives , Edited by: Worthington , EL Jr. 107 – 137 . Radnor, PA : Templeton Foundation .
  • Worthington , EL Jr. 2004 . The new science of forgiveness . Greater Good , 1 : 6 – 9 .
  • Zika , S and Chamberlain , K . 1992 . On the relation between meaning in life and psychological well-being . British Journal of Psychology , 83 : 133 – 145 .

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.