Forgiveness and health: psycho-spiritual integration and the promotion of better healthcare

J Health Care Chaplain. 2012;18(1-2):57-73. doi: 10.1080/08854726.2012.667317.

Abstract

Psychology and religiousness/spirituality continue to be perceived as incongruent and incompatible, often resulting in a disconnection and suboptimal level of collaboration between the two fields to the detriment of healthcare. Nevertheless, forgiveness, or an absence of ill will, is a construct central to both mainstream world religion/spirituality and the field of psychology. Understanding and recognizing the construct of forgiveness and its mutually central application can foster increased collaboration between the fields. As a result, individually and collectively, the two fields will be better able to expand and further develop their many shared principles in the service of better healthcare.

MeSH terms

  • Forgiveness*
  • Humans
  • Mind-Body Therapies*
  • Quality of Health Care*
  • Religion
  • Spirituality*