Is Forgiveness Always Beneficial, or Can It Be Harmful?

"Forgiveness as a moral virtue has existed for thousands of years. Recent psychological research shows it is a beneficial process for emotional health. Across religious traditions, recent psychotherapy models, and the philosophy of ethics, forgiveness is encouraged for its capacity to foster reconciliation and alleviate emotional burdens (Enright and Fitzgibbons, 2000, 2024). The idea that forgiveness is universally positive has been criticized recently, especially concerning abusive relationships. Can forgiving be harmful?"

"From a psychological perspective, forgiveness, as a free-will choice, is associated with a wide range of positive outcomes. Studies have shown that forgiving others can reduce anger, anxiety, and depression (see, for example, Yu and colleagues, 2021). In terms of correlational research, rather than cause-and-effect experimental research, forgiveness has been associated positively with physical health markers such as blood pressure and immune function (see example, Witvliet and colleagues, 2001)."

Forgiveness has existed for thousands of years and appears across religious traditions, psychotherapy models, and ethical philosophy. Psychological research shows forgiveness as a free-will choice yields emotional health benefits, including reduced anger, anxiety, and depression, and correlates with physical health markers such as blood pressure and immune function. Forgiving responses link to brain regions associated with empathy and can improve relationships. A growing trend criticizes forgiveness, especially regarding abusive relationships. If forgiveness creates its own problems, bias must be set aside and problems acknowledged. Similarly, bias against forgiveness should be recognized to avoid error. Three examples of criticisms clarify what forgiveness offers.

Read at Psychology Today