Forgiveness and life satisfaction across different age groups in adults

- Disposition to forgive and life satisfaction are examined in different age groups.
- Negative and positive dimensions of forgiveness are considered.
- Positive forgiveness is crucial for satisfaction with life among older adults.
- Reduction of unforgiveness is important for content people aged 31-40.
- In youth and middle age both types of forgiveness are related to happy life.

The aim of the study was to analyze the relationships between the propensity to forgive and life satisfaction in different age groups. Polish versions of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (adapted by Kaleta, Mróz, and Guzewicz, 2016) and of The Satisfaction with Life Scale by Diener et al. (SWLS, 1985) adapted by Juczyński (2012), were used. The sample consisted of 436 individuals aged 19-67. The analyses were performed separately for all age groups. Positive and negative dimensions of forgiveness of self, of others, and of situations beyond anyone's control were considered. The results revealed relationships between different aspects of the disposition to forgive and life satisfaction across the entire sample. In addition, significant positive correlations between positive and negative aspects of forgiveness and life satisfaction were observed in individuals aged 19-30 and 41-50. On the other hand, in the group of respondents aged 31-40 a significant positive relationship between reduced unforgiveness and satisfaction with life, whereas in the group aged 50 and over, between positive forgiveness and life satisfaction, were revealed.