17/09/2026
Could forgiveness be linked to a healthier, less stressful life? A new survey says those who struggle to forgive themselves or others also report higher levels of stress and loneliness.
The findings come from the American Bible Society’s “State of the Bible: USA 2026” report, based on a survey of 2,649 U.S. adults conducted in January 2026. The latest chapter, titled “Forgiveness,” explores how Americans view forgiving themselves, forgiving others, and receiving forgiveness from God.
The research found that 29% of Americans said it is difficult for them to accept themselves after making a mistake, while 40% said they continue to think negatively about people who have mistreated them.
There was also a strong connection between forgiveness and measures of well-being. People who reported that they could easily forgive themselves or others recorded higher levels of human flourishing and hope, while also reporting lower levels of loneliness and stress.
The differences were particularly striking when it came to self-forgiveness. Those who struggled with forgiving themselves recorded an average stress score of 14.4 out of 40, compared with just 6.9 among those who found self-forgiveness easier.
The survey also found generational and gender differences. Millennials and Gen Z were more likely than older generations to say they struggled with self-forgiveness, while women were more likely than men to report difficulty forgiving themselves.
The findings also point to differences based on engagement with Christian faith and Scripture. According to American Bible Society’s John Farquhar Plake, people who are more committed to their faith and Bible reading are more likely to give and experience forgiveness.
“For those who are committed to their faith and to reading the Bible,” Plake said, “they are more likely to give and experience forgiveness.”
The report suggests that forgiveness is not only a central theme of Christian teaching but may also be associated with greater flourishing, hope and lower levels of stress and loneliness.
For churches and Christian leaders, the findings raise an important question: How can Christian communities better help people understand, receive and extend forgiveness?
