Forgiveness and health-related outcomes among people with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
As motor vehicle accidents and violence cause the majority of spinal cord injuries (SCI) sustained in the USA and people with SCI will likely struggle with emotional issues related to the offender, the purpose of this exploratory study was to examine potential salutary effects of forgiveness among people with SCI incurred traumatically. Specifically, we hypothesized that forgiveness would have positive associations with health-related outcomes.


METHODS
A community-based sample of 140 adults (19-82 years of age) with SCI completed a self-report survey regarding dispositional forgiveness of self and others, health behavior, health status, and life satisfaction. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed to examine the relationships in question.


RESULTS
After controlling for demographic variables, forgiveness of self was significantly associated with health behavior and life satisfaction (uniquely accounting for 7% and 13% of the variance, respectively) and forgiveness of others was significantly associated with health status (uniquely accounting for 9% of the variance).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that forgiveness may play a role in the health and life satisfaction of people with traumatic SCI, with the benefit depending on the type of forgiveness offered.
Webb
Jon R
JR
Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, 37614, USA. webbjr@etsu.edu
Toussaint
Loren
L
Kalpakjian
Claire Z
CZ
Tate
Denise G
DG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012919:Social Behavior; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult