Objective: Forgiveness carries a different significance for individuals, especially older people. Few studies have focused on the effect of forgiveness on life satisfaction among older people and the mediating role of perceived social support and depressive symptoms. The current study tested the relationship between forgiveness and life satisfaction, and the mediating effects of perceived social support and depressive symptoms in the relationship.
Method: The sample of the study consisted of 713 older people (>56 years, M=64.89, SD=1.31)were recruited from Jiangsu province in China. Bootstrap estimation of multiple mediation analysis was used to examine the mediating effects of perceived social support and depressive symptoms in the relationship between forgiveness and life satisfaction.
Results: Forgiveness of others and oneself have positively associated with life satisfaction, and multiple mediation analyses indicated that perceived social support and depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between forgiveness of others and oneself and life satisfaction.
Conclusion: Forgiveness of others and self is linked with life satisfaction not only through perceived social support but also depressive symptoms. Forgiveness can enhance life satisfaction of older people. It can also enhance the effects of social support on their social relationships and reduce depressive symptoms, which lead to higher life satisfaction.
Keywords: Forgiveness of oneself; Forgiveness of others; depressive symptoms; life satisfaction; older people; perceived social support.