This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
Forgiveness refers to the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral process individuals develop in response to hurtful experiences directed at themselves or others. This process does not mean approving the offense, forgetting it, or ignoring injustice; rather, it involves transforming negative emotions and restoring one’s internal balance. Forgiveness plays a significant psychological role both in interpersonal relationships and within the individual’s inner world.
The concept of forgiveness has been addressed in various ways across different disciplines. In psychological approaches, forgiveness is defined as the conscious reduction of negative emotions such as anger, resentment, and desire for revenge following a hurtful experience, and their replacement with more constructive feelings. In this sense, forgiveness is closely linked to emotional regulation and psychological adjustment processes. Forgiveness is examined in dimensions such as self-forgiveness, forgiving others, and forgiving certain situations or experiences.
Concepts often confused with forgiveness include tolerance, forgetting, ignoring, and reconciliation. However, unlike these concepts, forgiveness is a process that does not deny the negative experience but focuses on alleviating the individual’s internal burden. Therefore, forgiveness encompasses both cognitive reappraisal and emotional transformation.
Forgiveness is closely related to psychological well-being. Persistent intense anger and hostility stemming from negative experiences can lead to anxiety, stress, and emotional exhaustion over time. Forgiveness, by helping regulate these negative emotions, is regarded as a characteristic that supports psychological balance.
Significant relationships have also been identified between psychological resilience and forgiveness. Individuals who demonstrate adaptation in the face of challenging life events are said to use forgiveness as a more functional resource in coping with negative emotions. In this context, forgiveness is viewed as a protective factor that enhances an individual’s capacity to manage stress.
Forgiveness is not a single decision but a relational and internal process that unfolds over time. During this process, individuals reevaluate the meaning of their hurt, reconsider the intentions and circumstances of the other party, and attempt to regulate their own emotional responses. Developing empathy, managing anger, and practicing mindful awareness are key components of this process.
In psychodynamic and relational approaches, forgiveness is linked to the restructuring of bonds individuals form with themselves and with others. In this regard, forgiveness is not merely an individual emotional regulation process but also a phenomenon that influences the quality of interpersonal relationships.
Forgiveness is studied in relation to certain personality traits. Traits such as humility, empathy, and optimism are found to support a tendency toward forgiveness, while pride and strong desires for revenge can hinder it. This indicates that forgiveness is shaped by both individual dispositions and learned attitudes.
Moreover, it is emphasized that forgiveness is also connected to how individuals respond to their own mistakes. Self-forgiveness can support the healthy processing of guilt and shame and foster a more balanced relationship with oneself.
Hurt experienced in close relationships is one of the most visible contexts for forgiveness. In emotionally intense relationships such as family dynamics, marriage, and close friendships, forgiveness can play a vital role in sustaining or reconstructing the relationship. However, forgiveness does not always imply continuing the relationship; in some cases, forgiveness may coexist with setting boundaries to protect oneself.
In social and cultural contexts, forgiveness is also regarded as a virtue embedded within value systems. Religious and cultural teachings often present forgiveness as a sign of moral maturity, while psychological science evaluates it as a functional process for individual mental health and well-being. These two perspectives demonstrate that forgiveness is a multidimensional concept with both value-based and psychological dimensions.
Forgiveness can also be seen as a point of balance between excessive reactions and emotional numbness. Neither ignoring the hurt nor perpetually sustaining anger is considered a healthy long-term strategy. Forgiveness involves acknowledging the negative experience while actively working to reduce its emotional burden. In this sense, forgiveness is associated with emotional maturity and self-regulation skills.
Forgiveness is a multifaceted process that contributes to reducing psychological burden, reevaluating relationships, and maintaining emotional balance. Linked to psychological well-being, resilience, and relational adjustment, forgiveness can produce functional outcomes at both individual and interpersonal levels. Therefore, forgiveness is regarded not only as a moral stance but also as an important resource for psychological health.
Definition and Scope of Forgiveness
Psychological Dimensions of Forgiveness
Forgiveness as a Process
Forgiveness and Personality Traits
Forgiveness, Relationships, and Sociocultural Context
Balance and Emotional Equilibrium in Forgiveness
Functions of Forgiveness
