To err is human and to forgive divine, according to the old adage, but people who forgive are kown to experience siginificant physical and mentel health benifits from doing so.
Now researchers report that these benifits health effects appear to vary by age, along with the willingness to forgive others and the willingness to forgive oneselft.
There are age differences in some forms of forgiveness and in their relationship to health.
Among survey participants of all ages, however, reports of forgiveness of themselves and others were associated with decreased psychological distress, including feelings of restlessness, hopelessness and nervousness.
In other findings, attendance at religious services was associated with decreased psychological distress, particularly among young and middle-age adults, and increased life satisfaction among yong and old age adults.
Service attendance was also associated with higher self-rated health among all age groups.
