Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 4/2016

01-08-2016 | Review Paper

The Source and Impact of Specific Parameters that Enhance Well-Being in Daily Life

Authors: William C. Stewart, Kelly E. Reynolds, Lydia J. Jones, Jeanette A. Stewart, Lindsay A. Nelson

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 4/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to review four parameters (forgiveness, gratitude, hope and empathy) frequently noted when evaluating well-being. We reviewed clinical studies from 1966 to present. We included 63 articles. All four of the parameters were shown to generally improve an individual’s well-being. These parameters demonstrated a positive influence within more specific societal issues including improvement in social relationships, delinquent behavior and physical health. These parameters were generally derived from training and religion. This study suggests that these parameters may improve either one of general well-being, pro-social and positive relational behavior and demonstrate positive health effects.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
go back to reference Davis, M. H. (1996). Empathy: A social psychological approach. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Davis, M. H. (1996). Empathy: A social psychological approach. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
go back to reference Evangelista, L. S., Doering, L. V., Dracup, K., Vassilakis, M. E., & Kobashigawa, J. (2003). Hope, mood states and quality of life in female heart transplant recipients. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 22, 681–686. doi:10.1016/S1053-2498(02)00652-6.CrossRefPubMed Evangelista, L. S., Doering, L. V., Dracup, K., Vassilakis, M. E., & Kobashigawa, J. (2003). Hope, mood states and quality of life in female heart transplant recipients. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 22, 681–686. doi:10.​1016/​S1053-2498(02)00652-6.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Gordon, K. C., Hughes, F. M., Tomcik, N. D., Dixon, L. J., & Litzinger, S. C. (2009). Widening spheres of impact: The role of forgiveness in marital and family functioning. Journal of Family Psychology, 23, 1–13. doi:10.1037/a0014354.CrossRefPubMed Gordon, K. C., Hughes, F. M., Tomcik, N. D., Dixon, L. J., & Litzinger, S. C. (2009). Widening spheres of impact: The role of forgiveness in marital and family functioning. Journal of Family Psychology, 23, 1–13. doi:10.​1037/​a0014354.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Harris, S. K., Sherritt, L. R., Holder, D. W., Kulig, J., Shrier, L. A., & Knight, J. R. (2008). Reliability and validity of the brief multidimensional measure of religiousness/spirituality among adolescents. Journal of Religion and Health, 47, 438–457. doi:10.1007/s10943-007-9154-x.CrossRefPubMed Harris, S. K., Sherritt, L. R., Holder, D. W., Kulig, J., Shrier, L. A., & Knight, J. R. (2008). Reliability and validity of the brief multidimensional measure of religiousness/spirituality among adolescents. Journal of Religion and Health, 47, 438–457. doi:10.​1007/​s10943-007-9154-x.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Lambert, N. M., Clark, M. S., Durtschi, J., Fincham, F. D., & Graham, S. M. (2010). Benefits of expressing gratitude: Expressing gratitude to a partner changes one’s view of the relationship. Psychological Science, 21, 574–580. doi:10.1177/0956797610364003.CrossRefPubMed Lambert, N. M., Clark, M. S., Durtschi, J., Fincham, F. D., & Graham, S. M. (2010). Benefits of expressing gratitude: Expressing gratitude to a partner changes one’s view of the relationship. Psychological Science, 21, 574–580. doi:10.​1177/​0956797610364003​.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Rosmarin, D. H., Pirutinsky, S., Cohen, A. B., Galler, Y., & Krumrei, E. J. (2011). Grateful to God or just plain grateful? A comparison of religious and general gratitude. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 6, 389–396. doi:10.1080/17439760.2011.596557.CrossRef Rosmarin, D. H., Pirutinsky, S., Cohen, A. B., Galler, Y., & Krumrei, E. J. (2011). Grateful to God or just plain grateful? A comparison of religious and general gratitude. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 6, 389–396. doi:10.​1080/​17439760.​2011.​596557.CrossRef
go back to reference Ryrie, C. C. (1999). Basic theology. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers. Ryrie, C. C. (1999). Basic theology. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.
go back to reference Waltman, M. A., Russell, D. C., Coyle, C. T., Enright, R. D., Holter, A. C., & Swoboda, C. M. (2009). The effects of a forgiveness intervention on patients with coronary artery disease. Psychology and Health, 24, 11–27. doi:10.1080/08870440903126371.CrossRefPubMed Waltman, M. A., Russell, D. C., Coyle, C. T., Enright, R. D., Holter, A. C., & Swoboda, C. M. (2009). The effects of a forgiveness intervention on patients with coronary artery disease. Psychology and Health, 24, 11–27. doi:10.​1080/​0887044090312637​1.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Warber, S. L., Ingerman, S., Moura, V. L., Wunder, J., Northrop, A., Gillespie, B. W., et al. (2011). Healing the heart: A randomized pilot study of a spiritual retreat for depression in acute coronary syndrome patients. Explore (NY), 7, 222–233. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2011.04.002.CrossRef Warber, S. L., Ingerman, S., Moura, V. L., Wunder, J., Northrop, A., Gillespie, B. W., et al. (2011). Healing the heart: A randomized pilot study of a spiritual retreat for depression in acute coronary syndrome patients. Explore (NY), 7, 222–233. doi:10.​1016/​j.​explore.​2011.​04.​002.CrossRef
go back to reference Worthington, E. L, Jr, Witvliet, C. V., Pietrini, P., & Miller, A. (2007). Forgiveness, health, and well-being: A review of evidence for emotional versus decisional forgiveness, dispositional forgivingness, and reduced unforgiveness. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30, 291–302. doi:10.1007/s10865-007-9105-8.CrossRefPubMed Worthington, E. L, Jr, Witvliet, C. V., Pietrini, P., & Miller, A. (2007). Forgiveness, health, and well-being: A review of evidence for emotional versus decisional forgiveness, dispositional forgivingness, and reduced unforgiveness. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30, 291–302. doi:10.​1007/​s10865-007-9105-8.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
The Source and Impact of Specific Parameters that Enhance Well-Being in Daily Life
Authors
William C. Stewart
Kelly E. Reynolds
Lydia J. Jones
Jeanette A. Stewart
Lindsay A. Nelson
Publication date
01-08-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 4/2016
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0076-8

Other articles of this Issue 4/2016

Journal of Religion and Health 4/2016 Go to the issue