With the increasing use of forgiveness interventions as therapy and educational programmes, a lot of studies have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the interventions. However, most of the existing intervention studies do not consider the cultural elements in forgiveness. The current study aimed to fill this gap by conducting research on forgiveness interventions in Chinese cultural context. The researcher devised a forgiveness programme by integrating the programme based on Enright-Process-Model with another programme based on Chinese cultural values. To examine the effects of the forgiveness programme on the participants’ forgiveness attitudes and other psychological variables, a 3-phase study design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches was adopted. In Phase I, the reliabilities and validities of the instruments (i.e., Decisional Forgiveness Scale, Emotional Forgiveness Scale, and Batson’s Empathy Adjectives) were examined with the sample of 194 college students (114 males and 80 females) in Nanjing. The instruments were used in the intervention studies (Phase II and Phase III). In Phase II study, two 4-session forgiveness programmes which were based on the Enright psycho-social process model and the Chinese cultural values respectively were conducted for 24 college students in Zhuhai. Based on both the quantitative and qualitative findings of the two brief programmes, a 10-session forgiveness programme integrating Chinese cultural values and the Enright Process Model was devised and implemented among 28 college students in Zhuhai (16 in experimental group and 12 in control group; 2 males and 26 females) in Phase III, the main study. The findings disclosed that gains in forgiveness attitudes in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The improvement in the experimental group was maintained at the follow-up test after 3-month. Gains of state-anxiety in the experimental group, meanwhile, were marginally higher than those of the control group, while gains of empathy and self-esteem had no significant differences between groups. The qualitative findings further revealed the participants’ understandings of forgiveness and the strategies that influence forgiveness. The strategies facilitating forgiveness included engaging in perspective taking, taking self-responsibility, cultivating empathy, having positive thinking, and stopping rumination. In contrast, repeated offences, severe hurt experience from the offence, no apology from the offenders, and no continued relationship are perceived as factors that hinder the participants’ forgiveness. In addition, Chinese values of harmony and face were found to be pertinent factors influencing participants’ decision to forgive. The implications of the findings are discussed. Theoretically, the integration of the Enright Forgiveness Process Model and Chinese cultural values was effective in promoting forgiveness attitudes and psychological well-being with Chinese participants in the collectivist cultural setting. Practically, elements such as reconciliation need to be included in the forgiveness interventions with Chinese participants. Chinese educators are suggested to use the experiential psycho-social approach rather than the indoctrinatory approach to cultivate the value and strategies of forgiveness. The limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are also presented. / published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

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This study deals with the pastoral counselling of people who became ill as a result of unresolved trauma. Some of the important questions raised in this study, included: Why are certain traumatic events physically harmful to people? 0 What is the relationship between unresolved trauma and the development of disease in the human body? Which additional factors play a role in the development of disease? The basis theoretical research clearly showed that a wounded person can be healed and restored by God; even if the wounding took place a long time ago. The traumatized person can bring his/her pain to God, uninhibitedly, with the expectation that God's healing power can heal. Negative thoughts and emotions, which are harmful to a person, must be brought under the truth of the Word, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit; with the intention to correct these thoughts and emotions. The meta-theoretical research has clearly shown a relationship between unresolved trauma and the development of disease in humans. Unresolved emotions can create certain emotions that work in negatively on a person's body. Unresolved trauma can also lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. For the purpose of the empirical study, four cases, of people who experienced trauma, were selected and studied. These people all struggled with new diseases after their traumatic experiences. The results highlighted the importance of considering the unique personal history of each individual; especially with reference to unresolved traumatic experiences in a person's past. The co-operation between the researcher and the medical profession regarding the results of the case studies should be noted. Chapter 6 clearly points out that the point of departure in pastoral counselling is God, the Holy Trinity. Vital dimensions of the Biblical counselling process are the following: Establishing involvement with counselees. Inspiring in them Biblical hope. 0 A thorough inventory and Biblical interpretation of counselees and their problems. Instructing counselees in an accurate and appropriately Biblical way to inspire in them decisive commitment to Biblical obedience and the implementation of Biblical instructions. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Many humanistic physiologist are writing about the importance of forgiveness in one or another way. Forgiveness is associated not only with physical health but also with psychical health. Nuisance, soreness/hurt, reluctance to forgive might stir up stress, depression, hypertension, headache, back and neck pains, worryness, sleeplessness, spontaneous lurk and sorrow. By looking into other studies it showed that forgiveness therapy is usable in oncological clinic, like one of methods contributory to treat cancer. The aim of this study was to research the peculiarity of an individual, the forgiveness conception and its influence to the physical and psychical health; to analyze the self value, an attitude to their health and valuables also the forgiveness and empathy, receiving of God forgiveness, hurt and anger levels of people who has oncological diseases and to compare with healthy people. In our research participitated 280 people, both mean and women in the average age of 40,11±12,65, and from those 99 (35,4%) had oncological disese and 181 (64,6%) were healthy. Methods: Self – esteem scale (Beresnevičienė, 1995), valuables scale, an attitude to health scale, Walker & Gorsuch (2004) forgiveness scale There were thee hypothesis raised. Research results confirmed 1 hypothesis, that people who has oncological diseases (OD) feels more hurt, proved out. People who has OD has more general hurt that healthy people (t(255)=-12,50; p<0,01) and this is statistically significant... [to full text]

This master research analyzes the personality peculiarities of men and women who are oncological ill. The object of the research: parameters of forgiveness of healthy and oncological ill persons. The purpose of the research: the comparison of parameters of forgiveness of healthy and oncological ill. The aims of the research: 1. To compare the parameters of forgiveness processes: the forgiveness to mother, father, partner, himself or herself, the mortification level to mother, father, partner, himself or herself, empathy to mother, father, partner, to himself or herself, God forgiveness acceptance to mother, father, partner, himself or herself, to compare in groups the healthy and oncological ill men, healthy and oncological ill women, healthy men and healthy women, oncological ill men and oncological ill women. 2. To compare self value, valuable orientation, the attitude to health, to compare in groups healthy and oncological ill men, healthy and oncological ill women, oncological ill women and oncological ill men, healthy women and healthy men. 3. To estimate the connection between the forgiveness level of men and their age, the level of the disease, the mortification awareness level, empathy, God forgiveness acceptance and the attitude to health and education. 4. To estimate the connection between the forgiveness level of women and their age, the level of the disease, the mortification awareness level, empathy, God forgiveness acceptance and the attitude to health and... [to full text]

There is no abstract available for this dissertation. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

This study deals with the pastoral counselling of people who became ill as a result of unresolved trauma. Some of the important questions raised in this study, included: Why are certain traumatic events physically harmful to people? 0 What is the relationship between unresolved trauma and the development of disease in the human body? Which additional factors play a role in the development of disease? The basis theoretical research clearly showed that a wounded person can be healed and restored by God; even if the wounding took place a long time ago. The traumatized person can bring his/her pain to God, uninhibitedly, with the expectation that God's healing power can heal. Negative thoughts and emotions, which are harmful to a person, must be brought under the truth of the Word, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit; with the intention to correct these thoughts and emotions. The meta-theoretical research has clearly shown a relationship between unresolved trauma and the development of disease in humans. Unresolved emotions can create certain emotions that work in negatively on a person's body. Unresolved trauma can also lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. For the purpose of the empirical study, four cases, of people who experienced trauma, were selected and studied. These people all struggled with new diseases after their traumatic experiences. The results highlighted the importance of considering the unique personal history of each individual; especially with reference to unresolved traumatic experiences in a person's past. The co-operation between the researcher and the medical profession regarding the results of the case studies should be noted. Chapter 6 clearly points out that the point of departure in pastoral counselling is God, the Holy Trinity. Vital dimensions of the Biblical counselling process are the following: Establishing involvement with counselees. Inspiring in them Biblical hope. 0 A thorough inventory and Biblical interpretation of counselees and their problems. Instructing counselees in an accurate and appropriately Biblical way to inspire in them decisive commitment to Biblical obedience and the implementation of Biblical instructions. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

In this study the important issue of unilateral forgiveness is researched. Chapter one contains the problem, research questions, objectives, methodology and central theoretical argument which involves the following: the healthy (faith mature) treatment of unilateral forgiveness, in the absence of the offender's remorse, as a essential element in the healing process in recovering for the emotional wounded person. This is the reason why such a person should be guided pastorally. In chapter 2, the aspect of basic-theory is being looked into, which entails the following: The Old Testament example of forgiveness in Jonah, and also forgiveness and repentance in the New Testament, and four passages namely Luke 17:3-4, Matt 18:15,21-22; Mark 11-25 6:12-15 and Matt 6: 12-15 were discussed. Afterwards, penitence and forgiveness in Judaism and Christianity were also investigated where conditional and unconditional pardon came into question. The various dimensions of forgiveness -that is from the divine side, human side and intrapersonal were researched. Finally God's purpose for forgiveness was discussed. Chapter three fostered the meta-theoretical aspect of the study. A brief history was given of the psychology of forgiveness and the relationship between theology and psychology were examined. The definition of forgiveness also received attention in order to better understand the concept. The reason for forgiveness, and the consequences of anger, (a core element of unforgiveness) on the total person, the physical, neurological, psychological, and psychiatry sides were discussed. Attention were given to therapy where the process of forgiveness, with two different models were discussed namely Pyramid Model of Worthington and the Concept of prosesmodel of Enright & Fitzgibbons. The chapter ends with reconciliation and inner preparation to unilateral forgiveness. In chapter four the empirical research received the focus, which included the value of empirical research, different paradigms, the choice of an approach, and the nature and characteristics of qualitative research. Thereafter, data collection, including basic personal interviews, parameters of the interview, questionnaire design, sampling design and identification of themes for interviews, got attention The discussion of the interview results were concluded with a preliminary conclusion from the empirical research to end this chapter. In chapter 5 attention was given to the practical theoretical perspectives with regard to unilateral forgiveness. Because Zerfass's model were used in the study, particular attention had been given to examining of the effect of Zerfass's model. Then a summary were given of the findings of Scriptural perspective, relevant sciences, empirical research and practical theoretical guidelines in brief. It concludes with a summarized report of findings in respect of unilateral forgiveness, practical theory and proposed guidelines. The study ended in chapter six where the final conclusion regarding the research on unilateral forgiveness were given and topics were proposed for further research. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

In this study the important issue of unilateral forgiveness is researched. Chapter one contains the problem, research questions, objectives, methodology and central theoretical argument which involves the following: the healthy (faith mature) treatment of unilateral forgiveness, in the absence of the offender's remorse, as a essential element in the healing process in recovering for the emotional wounded person. This is the reason why such a person should be guided pastorally. In chapter 2, the aspect of basic-theory is being looked into, which entails the following: The Old Testament example of forgiveness in Jonah, and also forgiveness and repentance in the New Testament, and four passages namely Luke 17:3-4, Matt 18:15,21-22; Mark 11-25 6:12-15 and Matt 6: 12-15 were discussed. Afterwards, penitence and forgiveness in Judaism and Christianity were also investigated where conditional and unconditional pardon came into question. The various dimensions of forgiveness -that is from the divine side, human side and intrapersonal were researched. Finally God's purpose for forgiveness was discussed. Chapter three fostered the meta-theoretical aspect of the study. A brief history was given of the psychology of forgiveness and the relationship between theology and psychology were examined. The definition of forgiveness also received attention in order to better understand the concept. The reason for forgiveness, and the consequences of anger, (a core element of unforgiveness) on the total person, the physical, neurological, psychological, and psychiatry sides were discussed. Attention were given to therapy where the process of forgiveness, with two different models were discussed namely Pyramid Model of Worthington and the Concept of prosesmodel of Enright & Fitzgibbons. The chapter ends with reconciliation and inner preparation to unilateral forgiveness. In chapter four the empirical research received the focus, which included the value of empirical research, different paradigms, the choice of an approach, and the nature and characteristics of qualitative research. Thereafter, data collection, including basic personal interviews, parameters of the interview, questionnaire design, sampling design and identification of themes for interviews, got attention The discussion of the interview results were concluded with a preliminary conclusion from the empirical research to end this chapter. In chapter 5 attention was given to the practical theoretical perspectives with regard to unilateral forgiveness. Because Zerfass's model were used in the study, particular attention had been given to examining of the effect of Zerfass's model. Then a summary were given of the findings of Scriptural perspective, relevant sciences, empirical research and practical theoretical guidelines in brief. It concludes with a summarized report of findings in respect of unilateral forgiveness, practical theory and proposed guidelines. The study ended in chapter six where the final conclusion regarding the research on unilateral forgiveness were given and topics were proposed for further research. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Thesis (S.T.L.)--Catholic University of America, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-88).