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Aging, Forgiveness, and Health

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Forgiveness and Health

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the relationships among aging, forgiveness, and health. We examine six issues that have either not received sufficient attention or that are especially salient in the field. First, we discuss evidence for age differences in forgiveness, the association of forgiveness with health and well-being, and whether there are age differences in the relationship between forgiveness and health. Second, we explain why it is important to distinguish between age, cohort, and life course effects in the aging and forgiveness literature. Third, we briefly review theoretical perspectives that suggest why people may become more forgiving as they grow older. Fourth, we discuss why forgiveness may be associated with health in late life. Fifth, we identify factors that may reduce the willingness and ability of older people to forgive. Finally, we highlight issues that may help those seeking to develop clinical applications for forgiveness in older adulthood.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA

    Neal Krause & R. David Hayward

Authors
  1. Neal Krause
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  2. R. David Hayward
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Correspondence to Neal Krause .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, USA

    Loren Toussaint

  2. Dept of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA

    Everett Worthington

  3. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    David R. Williams

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Krause, N., Hayward, R.D. (2015). Aging, Forgiveness, and Health. In: Toussaint, L., Worthington, E., Williams, D. (eds) Forgiveness and Health. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9993-5_14

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