Can group interventions facilitate forgiveness of an ex-spouse? A randomized clinical trial.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of 2 versions of an 8-session forgiveness group intervention for divorced individuals. Participants (randomized, n=192; analyzed, n=149) were randomly assigned to a secular forgiveness condition, a religious forgiveness condition, or a no-intervention comparison condition. Measures of forgiveness and mental health were obtained at pretest, posttest, and 6-week follow-up. Participants in both intervention conditions increased significantly more than comparison participants on self-reported forgiveness of an ex-spouse and understanding of forgiveness. Participants in the secular condition showed a greater decrease in depressive symptoms than comparison participants. Intrinsic religiousness did not moderate intervention effects.
Duke Scholars
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Spouses
- Social Facilitation
- Religion and Psychology
- Psychotherapy, Group
- Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
- Midwestern United States
- Middle Aged
- Mental Health
- Male
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Spouses
- Social Facilitation
- Religion and Psychology
- Psychotherapy, Group
- Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
- Midwestern United States
- Middle Aged
- Mental Health
- Male