ABSTRACT
A study was undertaken to explore the relationship between forgiveness and indicators of physical health in clergy persons who were participating in a program of recovery from substance dependence or compulsive behavior disorders. Bivariate correlations were calculated between the Transgressions Related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory (TRIM), a research instrument measuring three components of forgiveness, and physical health indicators collected from the subjects, specifically, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, blood glucose level, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Significant relationships were found between the Avoidance and Generally Positive Statements scales of the TRIM and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, the directions of the correlations were opposite of what was predicted.