Forgiveness:A Review of Literature

Psychologist and researchers give many definitions and explore the concept of forgiveness. Forgiveness is distinct from other ways of dealing with personal insults or injury. Forgiveness is not condoning, excusing, exonerating, justifying, or pardoning an offender (Enright, 2001; Worthington, Witvliet, Pietrini, & Miller, 2007). Neither is forgiveness the same as reconciling a damaged relationship or restoring offenders to their former status (Sutton, 2010). In such a backdrop this review are under taken there themes. Forgiveness: effects, benefits, forgiveness and stress, coping mechanisms, physiological changes and health. Review indicate that forgivingness related to levels of stress, well-being, and depression (Lawler-Row & Piferi, 2006) and it helpful in the treatment of disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, disorders of childhood, eating disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and marital and family dysfunction. Further forgiveness has been hypothesized to be an emotion-focused coping strategy. It has been found to reduce anger andhostility(Al-Mabuketal., 1995).