To err is human and to forgive divine, according to the old
adage, but humans who forgive are known to experience
significant physical and mental health benefits from doing so.
Now researchers report that these beneficial health effects
appear to vary by age, along with the willingness to forgive
others, the willingness to forgive oneself.
``Taken together, our findings emphasize that
forgiveness is a multidimensional phenomenon,'' write study
lead author Dr. Loren L. Toussaint of the University of
Michigan and colleagues. ``There are age differences in some
forms of forgiveness and in their relationship to
health.''
Their conclusions are based on survey responses from more
than 1,400 adults during a 5-month study period.
In general, young adults (18-44 years) reported that they
were less likely to forgive others than middle-aged (45-64)
and older adults (65 and older).
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.
Further, young adults who reported high levels of
self-forgiveness were more likely to be satisfied with their
lives, whereas middle age and older adults who reported high
levels of forgiveness of others were more likely to report
increased life satisfaction.
In other findings, attendance at religious services was
associated with decreased psychological distress, particularly
among young and middle-aged adults, and increased life
satisfaction among young and old adults. Service attendance
was also associated with higher self-rated health among all
age groups.
俗话说"人孰能无过，宽恕为上"，最近一项试验表明宽恕别人还能够有效促进人们自身的身心健康。研究者发现，不同年龄的人对人对己的宽容程度都不同，不同程度的宽容之心对健康的影响也不同。
该研究主笔美国密歇根大学的洛伦·L·图森特博士和他的同事们在研究报告中写道："总之，我们发现宽容是一种非常复杂的现象。不同年龄段的人宽容之心是不一样的，其对健康的影响程度也有所不同。"
他们是在对1400名成年人进行了为期5个月的调查后才得出这个结论的。
总的来说，18至44岁的年轻人在宽容他人方面远不如45至64岁的中年人和65岁以上的老年人。
各个年龄段的被调查者在对他人和对自己宽容以待的时候，往往会减轻自己的心理压力，例如减少自己烦躁、绝望和紧张等情绪。
此外，研究还表明，宽容待己的年轻人对自己的生活现状一般比较满意，而宽以待人的中老年人对自己的生活现状一般比较满意。
这项研究还发现，中青年人参加宗教祈祷仪式，感受自己被上帝宽恕，减轻了他们的心理压力，而年轻人和老年人参加宗教祈祷仪式，
则提高了他们对生活的满意度。所有被调查者在参加了宗教祈祷仪式后都对自己的健康状况感觉良好。
摘自中国日报网站（J-04）
