Forgivingness, relationship quality, stress while imagining relationship events, and physical and mental health

In all, 39 participants (19 male, 20 female) were classified as either happ y (n = 19) or unhappy (n = 20) with a relationship. Baseline salivary corti sol was measured. Participants imagined (for a 5-min duration) scenes typic al of their relationship, and salivary cortisol was measured again. Partici pants in unhappy relationships had higher cortisol reactivity (indicating h igher stress) following the imagery. Cortisol reactivity was predicted by r elationship variables (high love and liking for the partner, high happiness with the relationship) and personality variables (high forgivingness, low trait anger). Personality had an indirect effect through the relationship v ariables. Physical health was predicted by personality variables. Mental he alth was predicted by both personality and relationship variables. Implicat ions of these results for counseling health psychology are discussed.