Forgiveness

== Interventions ==
Psychology researchers agree that the purpose of forgiveness interventions is to decrease overall negative affect associated with the stimulus{{vague|date=July 2023}} and increase the individual's positive affect.<ref name="Understanding concerns">{{Cite journal|title = Understanding concerns about interventions to promote forgiveness: A review of the literature.|journal = Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training|year = 2008|volume = 45|issue = 1|doi = 10.1037/0033-3204.45.1.88|pmid = 22122367|first1 = Nathaniel G.|last1 = Wade|first2 = Chad V.|last2 = Johnson|first3 = Julia E.|last3 = Meyer|pages=88–102}}</ref><ref name="Wade Bailey Schaffer 2005">{{cite journal|last1=Wade|first1=Nathaniel G.|last2=Bailey|first2=Donna C.|last3=Shaffer|first3=Philip|title=Helping Clients Heal: Does Forgiveness Make a Difference?|journal=Professional Psychology: Research and Practice|year=2005|volume=36|issue=6|pages=634–641|doi=10.1037/0735-7028.36.6.634}}</ref>

The incorporation of forgiveness into therapy has been lacking,<ref name="Understanding concerns" /> but has gained popularity.<ref name="Understanding concerns" /> The growth of forgiveness in psychology has given rise to the study of forgiveness interventions.<ref name="Understanding concerns" />

A meta-analysis of group-based forgiveness interventions examined how well they increase self-reported forgiveness (or decrease "unforgiveness"). It concluded that "The data appear to speak clearly: Forgiveness interventions are effective."<ref>{{cite book|first1=Nathanie|last1=Wade|first2=Everett|last2=Worthington|first3=Julia|last3=Meyer|chapter=But Do They Work? A Meta-Analysis of Group Interventions to Promote Forgiveness|title=Handbook of Forgiveness|year=2005}}</ref>

=== Different types ===
There are various forms of forgiveness interventions.<ref name="Understanding concerns" /> One is where patients are forced to confront the entity{{vague|date=July 2023}} that prevents them from forgiving by using introspective techniques and expressing this to the therapist.<ref name="Understanding concerns" /><ref name="Wade Bailey Schaffer 2005" /> Another is getting the person to try to see things from the offender's point of view, so that they may understand the reasoning behind the offender's actions.<ref name="Understanding concerns" /><ref name="Wade Bailey Schaffer 2005" /> If they can do this, they might be able to forgive the offender more easily.<ref name="Understanding concerns" /><ref name="Wade Bailey Schaffer 2005" /> 

Researchers have studied forgiveness interventions in relationships and whether or not prayer increases forgiveness. One study found that praying for a friend or thinking positive thoughts about that person every day for four weeks positively boosts the chances of forgiving that friend or partner, which leads to a better relationship.<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite journal |last1=Lambert |first1=Nathaniel |title=Motivating Change in Relationships: Can Prayer Increase Forgiveness? |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41062174 |journal=Psychological Science |year=2010 |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=126–132 |location=Los Angeles, Calif.|publisher=SAGE Publications |doi=10.1177/0956797609355634 |jstor=41062174 |pmid=20424033 |s2cid=20228955}}
|2={{cite journal|last1=Beach|first1=S.R.H.|last2=Fincham|first2=F.D.|last3=Hurt|first3=T.|last4=McNair|first4=L.M.|last5=Stanley|first5=S.M.|year=2008|title=Prayer and marital intervention: A conceptual framework|journal=Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology|volume=27|issue=7 |pages=641–669|doi=10.1521/jscp.2008.27.7.641 |pmid=20054450 |pmc=2802219}}
}}</ref>

=== Contrary evidence ===
There is, however, conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of forgiveness interventions, and some researchers have taken a critical approach to the forgiveness intervention approach to therapy.<ref name="Understanding concerns" />

Critics argued that forgiveness interventions may actually cause an increase in negative affect because they try to inhibit the person's feelings towards the offender. This can result in the person feeling negatively towards themself.<ref name="Understanding concerns" /> This approach implies that the negative emotions the person is feeling are unacceptable and feelings of forgiveness are correct and acceptable. This might inadvertently promote feelings of shame and contrition in the person.<ref name="Understanding concerns" />

Wanda Malcolm, a registered psychologist, states: "it is not a good idea to make forgiveness an a-priori goal of therapy".<ref name="Wanda" /> [[Steven Stosny]] asserts that you must heal first then forgive ({{em|not}} forgive then heal);<ref name="Stosny" /> that fully acknowledging the grievance (both what actions were harmful, and naming the emotions the victim felt as a response to the offender's actions) is an essential first step, before forgiveness can occur.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Luskin |first1=Fred |title=Forgive For Good |date=January 21, 2013 |publisher=HarperOne |isbn=978-0062517210 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/forgiveforgoodpr00lusk }}</ref>

Some researchers worry that forgiveness interventions promote unhealthy relationships.<ref name="Understanding concerns" /><ref name="Stover 2005">{{cite journal|last1=Stover|first1=C.S.|title=Domestic Violence Research: What Have We Learned and Where Do We Go From Here?|journal=Journal of Interpersonal Violence|date=1 April 2005|volume=20|issue=4|pages=448–454|doi=10.1177/0886260504267755|pmid=15722500|s2cid=22219265}}</ref> They worry that individuals with toxic relationships will continue to forgive those who continuously commit wrong acts towards them, when in fact they should be distancing themselves from those sorts of people.<ref name="Understanding concerns" /><ref name="Stover 2005" />

A number of studies showcase high effectiveness rates of forgiveness interventions when done continuously over a long period of time.<ref name="Understanding concerns" /> But some researchers have found these interventions ineffective when done over short spans of time.<ref name="Understanding concerns" />

=== Children ===
Some studies looked at the effectiveness of forgiveness interventions on young children, including several cross-cultural studies.<ref name="Understanding concerns" /> One looked at forgiveness interventions and Chinese children who were less likely to forgive those who had wronged them, finding an effect{{specify|date=July 2023}} of such interventions on the children.<ref name="Understanding concerns" />

===Older adults===

Older adults who receive forgiveness interventions report higher levels of forgiveness than those who did not receive treatment. Forgiveness treatments resulted in lower depression, stress, and anger than no-treatment conditions. Forgiveness interventions also enhance positive psychological aspects{{specify|date=July 2023}}. This was regardless of the specific intervention model or format (group or individual).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=López |first1=Javier |last2=Serrano |first2=Maria Inés |last3=Giménez |first3=Isabel |last4=Noriega |first4=Cristina |date=January 2021 |title=Forgiveness Interventions for Older Adults: A Review |journal=Journal of Clinical Medicine |language=en |volume=10 |issue=9 |page=1866 |doi=10.3390/jcm10091866 |pmid=33925790 |pmc=8123510 |issn=2077-0383|doi-access=free }}</ref>