Forgiveness and mental health in military personnel with chronic orofacial pain

This study evaluated the prevalence and intensity of forgiveness in active-duty military orofacial pain (OFP) patients and explored its associations with pain severity, psychological and emotional factors, and sleep disturbance. A retrospective chart review was completed with a cohort of 380 active-duty military personnel diagnosed with OFP. Forgiveness was measured using the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), while pain severity, psychological factors, and sleep disturbances were evaluated through validated measures. Statistical analyses included multivariable linear regressions to assess predictors of forgiveness and associations with psychological measures. Patients with higher forgiveness demonstrated significantly lower anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, stress, and anger. However, no significant association was found between forgiveness and pain severity. Results highlighted anger and anxiety as key negative predictors of forgiveness. The findings underscore forgiveness as a relevant psychosocial factor in OFP management, particularly in mitigating emotional distress. Incorporating forgiveness-focused interventions may enhance the biopsychosocial approach to treating chronic OFP.