Forgiveness and Wellbeing: What It Means for Your Organization

Original article: Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but studies show it can help you flourish
The Conversation, February 23, 2026 · Photo: Raphael Brasileiro/Pexels, CC BY-SA
Read the full story at The Conversation →

Forgiveness predicts better mental health, purpose and relationships a year later, according to analysis of the Global Flourishing Study. Writing in The Conversation, Richard G. Cowden of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard explains what data from the Global Flourishing Study reveal about forgiveness in 22 countries. He also points to a free workbook that helped thousands of people forgive a specific hurt.

What the research found about forgiveness and well-being

Key findings shared in the article:

• About 75% of more than 200,000 people in 22 countries said they “often” or “always” forgive those who hurt them, from 41% in Turkey to 92% in Nigeria.
• Using two waves of data about a year apart, people who were more forgiving reported somewhat higher well-being a year later on many of 56 outcomes, including mental health, purpose in life, relationship satisfaction and hope.
• A randomised trial with more than 4,500 people in Colombia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, South Africa and Ukraine found a three-hour forgiveness workbook improved forgiveness, anxiety, depression and overall well-being.

Why forgiveness matters for your organization

Hurt happens wherever people work, worship, learn and serve together. The article notes that about one in four people across the study rarely or never forgive those who hurt them. Organizations that make room for repair, honest conversation and practical resources can help their people carry less and connect more.

Frequently asked questions

What does forgiveness mean, and what does it not mean?

In the article, forgiveness is a process of choosing not to seek payback, working to release resentment and moving toward greater compassion for the person who caused the hurt. It does not mean excusing wrongdoing, abandoning justice or reopening the door to an unsafe relationship.

Does forgiveness improve well-being?

A longitudinal analysis of Global Flourishing Study data found that people who reported being more forgiving tended to report somewhat higher well-being about a year later, across many outcomes such as mental health, purpose, relationship satisfaction and hope. The effects were modest, and the author notes that decades of earlier research point to similar links.

What is the REACH Forgiveness workbook?

It is a self-directed workbook of about three hours, with reflective exercises, writing activities and educational material, built on the widely studied REACH Forgiveness model. The REACH Forgiveness workbook is free to download and use and is available in several languages.

How does your team or community make room for repair after conflict? Share it in the comments.