The research of Luther College professors and graduates published in the American Psychological Association's journal, "Health Psychology"

Luther College Professor Loren Toussaint

Recent research done by two Luther faculty members, two Luther College graduates, and two professors in the University of California system is underscoring the importance of self-forgiveness.

The research by Luther College Professors Loren Toussaint and Stephanie Travers, Luther graduates Emily Green and Kelly Kennedy, the University of California-Davis' Grant Shields and the University of California-Los Angeles' George Slavich was published recently in the American Psychological Association's journal, "Health Psychology."

The Luther researchers and their colleagues tracked cognitive impairment in a representative sample of adults averaging 57 years old at the beginning of the 10-year study.  They wanted to study "the extent to which self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others moderated the association of hostility with changes in the United States."

Hostility has been shown to have detrimental effects on health and well-being.  The purpose of the research was to determine if self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others could offset the negative effects of hostility on cognitive health.

The research group learned "that associations between individuals' hostility levels and changes in cognitive impairment over time are buffered by self-forgiveness." Their article continued, "Enhancing self-forgiveness may thus represent one possible strategy for promoting cognitive resilience and healthy aging."

For more information, or a copy of the article, contact Loren Toussaint at touslo01@luther.edu