1
|
Ortega Bechara A, Chen ZJ, Cowden RG, Worthington EL, Toussaint L, Rodriguez N, Guzman Murillo H, Ho MY, Mathur MB, VanderWeele TJ. Do Forgiveness Campaign Activities Improve Forgiveness, Mental Health, and Flourishing? Int J Public Health 2024; 69:1605341. [PMID: 38524628 PMCID: PMC10957572 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1605341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a forgiveness public health intervention at promoting forgiveness, mental health, and flourishing. Methods: Colombian students (N = 2,878) at a private, nonreligious university were exposed to a 4-week forgiveness community campaign and were assessed pre- and post-campaign. Results: Forgiveness, mental health, and flourishing outcomes showed improvements after the campaign. On average, participants reported engaging in 7.18 (SD = 3.99) of the 16 types of campaign activities. The number of types of campaign activities that participants engaged in evidenced a positive linear association with forgiveness, although some activities were more popular than others and some activities were more strongly associated with increased forgiveness. For depression, anxiety, and flourishing, engaging in more activities was generally associated with greater improvements, but the patterns were less consistent relative to forgiveness. Conclusion: This forgiveness public health intervention effectively promoted forgiveness, mental health, and flourishing. Effective campaigns in diverse communities involve promoting mental and physical health through forgiveness. However, recent conflict may hinder acceptance, necessitating political capital for leadership advocating forgiveness initiatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhuo Job Chen
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Richard G. Cowden
- Human Flourishing Program and T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Nicole Rodriguez
- Department of Psychology, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Colombia
| | | | - Man Yee Ho
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Maya B. Mathur
- Quantitative Sciences Unit, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Tyler J. VanderWeele
- Human Flourishing Program and T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Facilitation of Forgiveness: Impact on Health and Well-being. Holist Nurs Pract 2023; 37:15-23. [PMID: 36378088 DOI: 10.1097/hnp.0000000000000559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although the practice of forgiveness is encouraged, the healing properties of this virtue by health care professionals are often overlooked. Forgiveness is the voluntary, conscious decision to abandon negative feelings toward another who has caused hurt and replacing those feelings with unconditional love and compassion. It is not about forgetting the hurt or ignoring the pain; it is an actual transformation of the heart. The Enright Forgiveness Process Model and the Pyramid Model of Forgiveness are 2 models that facilitate the forgiveness process. By utilizing either of these pathways, the forgiver ultimately experiences peace of mind and a "release from emotional prison" that leads to holistic healing. As a result, the forgiver experiences lower levels of depression, anxiety, and aggression, which improves quality of life. In addition, physiological benefits such as decreased stress levels, lower blood pressure, and a lower heart rate have also been reported. Throughout the course of their careers, nurses encounter patients and families in acute or end-of-life care situations who want to forgive or be forgiven. As holistic health care providers, nurses should be able to facilitate and close this gap in patient care. This article attempts to raise awareness to the importance of forgiveness in health and well-being among nurses and other health care professionals.
Collapse
|
3
|
Stroope S, Kent BV, Zhang Y, Spiegelman D, Kandula NR, Schachter AB, Kanaya A, Shields AE. 'Mental health and self-rated health among U.S. South Asians: the role of religious group involvement'. ETHNICITY & HEALTH 2022; 27:388-406. [PMID: 31466458 PMCID: PMC7048668 DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2019.1661358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Only one community-based study has assessed religious group involvement and health outcomes among South Asians in the U.S., with mixed results. Here, using a large, South Asian community-based sample, the effects of six religious group involvement predictors - religious tradition, attendance, group prayer, giving/receiving congregational emotional support, congregational neglect, and congregational criticism - were examined in relation to four health outcomes: self-rated health, positive mental health functioning, trait anxiety, and trait anger.Design: The study used a new religion/spirituality questionnaire in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis Among South Asians Living in America (MASALA), the largest study of mental and physical well-being among U.S. South Asians. Associations were assessed cross-sectionally using OLS regression in both the full sample (N = 928) and a subsample of congregation members (N = 312).Results: Jains reported better self-rated health compared to Hindus and Muslims. Group prayer involvement, when measured ordinally, was positively associated with self-rated health and mental health functioning. In reference group comparisons, individuals who participated in group prayer once/day or more had lower levels of anxiety and anger compared to several comparison groups in which individuals prayed less than once a day. Religious service attendance was associated with higher levels of anxiety. Giving/receiving congregational emotional support was positively associated with self-rated health and mental health functioning, and inversely associated with anxiety. Congregational criticism was associated with higher levels of anger and anxiety.Conclusions: This study provided a new assessment of religious group involvement and health in the U.S. South Asian population. Religious group participation was associated with mental and self-rated health in well-controlled models, indicating this is a fruitful area for further research. Group religious involvement may be a health-promoting resource for U.S. South Asians who are religiously active, but it is not an unalloyed boon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Stroope
- Louisiana State University Department of Sociology, Baton Rouge, LA
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
| | - Blake Victor Kent
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ying Zhang
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Boston, MA
| | - Donna Spiegelman
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Namratha R. Kandula
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Anna B. Schachter
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Boston, MA
| | - Alka Kanaya
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Alexandra E. Shields
- National Consortium on Psychosocial Stress, Spirituality, and Health, Boston, MA
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kim JJ, Mullen LM, Akers SW, Joseph RA, Bishop LB, Bistany BR, Chambers AC, Harvey JR, Houghton A. The Efficacy of a Forgiveness Bibliotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Nursing Students. J Holist Nurs 2022; 40:336-350. [PMID: 35006022 DOI: 10.1177/08980101211072288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of study: The need for forgiveness education for nursing self-care and forgiveness facilitation has risen. Therefore, the present pilot study tested the efficacy of an 8-week forgiveness bibliotherapy with a small number of undergraduate nursing students. Design of study: Matched pairs of nursing students were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or no-contact control group. The experimental group, using 8 keys to forgiveness by R. Enright (2015) as the treatment manual, read one chapter a week for 8 weeks and provided weekly reflections. Forgiveness and forgiveness-related outcome measures were administered at pretest, posttest, and one-month follow-up. Findings: At the posttest, the experimental group had significantly greater improvement in forgiveness compared to the control group with a large effect size, which was maintained at one month follow-up. There was no other significant difference between the two groups. Within-group comparisons of the experimental group showed improvement in forgiveness, anxiety, depression, and fatigue from pre to post testing periods and forgiveness, anger, anxiety, depression, and fatigue from pre to follow-up testing periods. Conclusion: Use of bibliotherapy may be a cost-effective way to promote the virtue of forgiveness for students in nursing programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jichan J Kim
- School of Behavioral Sciences, 5199Liberty University
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
COVID-19 related moral injury: Associations with pandemic-related perceived threat and risky and protective behaviors. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 142:80-88. [PMID: 34330024 PMCID: PMC9749911 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is associated with increased potential for morally injurious events, during which individuals may experience, witness, or learn about situations that violate deeply held moral beliefs. However, it is unknown how pandemic risk and resilience factors are associated with COVID-related moral injury. METHODS Individuals residing in the U.S. (N = 839; Mage = 37.09, SD = 11.06; 78% women; 63% White; 33% PTSD) participating in an online survey reported on COVID-19 related moral injury (modified Moral Injury Events Scale), perceived current and future threat of pandemic on life domains (social, financial, health), and COVID-19 risky and protective behaviors. Multivariate linear regressions examined associations of perceived threat and risky and protective behaviors on type of COVID-19 related moral injury (betrayal, transgression by others, self). RESULTS Participants endorsed MI betrayal (57%, N = 482), transgression by other (59%, N = 497), and by self 17% (N = 145). Adjusting for sociodemographics, only future threat of COVID-19 to health was significantly associated with betrayal (B = 0.21, p = .001) and transgression by other (B = 0.16, p = .01), but not by self. In contrast, high frequency of risky behaviors was associated with transgressions by self (B = 0.23, p < .001). Sensitivity analyses showed PTSD did not moderate the observed effects. CONCLUSIONS Betrayal and transgression by others was associated with greater perceived future threat of COVID-19 to health, but not financial or social domains. Stronger endorsement of transgression by self was associated with more frequently engaging in risky behaviors for contracting COVID-19. These findings may suggest the need for individual, community, and system level interventions to address COVID-19 related moral injury.
Collapse
|
6
|
Waters L, Cameron K, Nelson-Coffey SK, Crone DL, Kern ML, Lomas T, Oades L, Owens RL, Pawelski JO, Rashid T, Warren MA, White MA, Williams P. Collective wellbeing and posttraumatic growth during COVID-19: how positive psychology can help families, schools, workplaces and marginalized communities. THE JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2021.1940251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lea Waters
- Centre for Wellbeing Science, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kim Cameron
- Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Damien L. Crone
- Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margaret L. Kern
- Centre for Wellbeing Science, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tim Lomas
- University of East London, London, UK
| | - Lindsay Oades
- Centre for Wellbeing Science, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rhea L. Owens
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - James O. Pawelski
- Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tayyab Rashid
- Health & Wellness Centre, University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), Canada
| | - Meg A. Warren
- College of Business and Economics, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA
| | | | - Paige Williams
- Centre for Wellbeing Science, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cowden RG, Worthington EL, Nonterah CW, Cairo AH, Griffin BJ, Hook JN. Development of the Collectivist-Sensitive Trait Forgivingness Scale. Scand J Psychol 2019; 60:169-180. [DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard G. Cowden
- University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban South Africa
- Middle Tennessee State University; Murfreesboro USA
- University of the Free State; Bloemfontein South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|