The Relationship Between Willingness to Forgive and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults in Portugal and Spain

Abstract

Objectives: To describe, understand, and correlate willingness to forgive with self-perceived health-related quality of life, including the components of quality of physical health and mental health. Methods: Conducted with 30 older individuals, ≥65 years old, with preserved cognitive abilities, literacy ≥ four years of education, living in Portugal and Spain. The 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) was used to assess self-perceived health-related quality of life, and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS) was used to measure willingness to forgive. Results: There was a direct positive correlation between willingness to forgive and perception of health-related quality of life, especially for the mental health component, educational level, cohabitation, and work activity. Conclusions: Forgiveness could play a significant role in the emotional health and quality of life of the elderly. Strategies to develop forgiveness can benefit the active aging process, contributing to improved health-related quality of life in older individuals.