Heartland Forgiveness Scale Research Articles

The Effect of Forgiveness Psychoeducation on Death Anxiety, Caregiver Burden, and Forgiveness Tendencies in Caregivers of Patients at the End of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Providing caregivers with the skills and awareness of forgiveness is crucial to help them express their emotions, navigate the grieving process more smoothly, enhance their interaction with the patient, and make the time until the patient's death more meaningful. To examine the effect of forgiveness psychoeducation on death anxiety, caregiver burden, and forgiveness tendencies in caregivers of patients at the end of life. A randomized controlled experimental method was used, including a pretest, posttest, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up. The research sample included 56 caregivers of patients (experimental group = 28, control group = 28) at the end of life. During the study, forgiveness psychoeducation was administered to the experimental group, whereas no intervention was carried out in the control group. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Thorson-Powell Death Anxiety Scale, Caregiver Burden Scale, and Heartland Forgiveness Scale. The average scores of death anxiety and caregiving burden in the posttest and follow-up measurements of caregivers in the experimental group were statistically significantly lower than those of caregivers in the control group (P < .05). Forgiveness psychoeducation reduces death anxiety and caregiving burdens in caregivers of patients at the end of life. It is recommended to provide psychoeducation on forgiveness. The psychoeducation conducted by Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Nurses aimed at increasing the internal process of forgiveness can positively influence the communication, emotions, and spiritual development of caregivers of patients at the end of life. Thus, improving the quality of care can be achieved through forgiveness.

An Investigation on the Lasting Impact of COVID-19 on Hope, Gratitude, and Forgiveness of College Students' Wellbeing

Abstract : With the COVID-19 widespread, the disruption of the normal routine of the people global wide was predominant. The restrictions abiding the control of the spread of the pandemic were effective in controlling the spread of the virus, but it has remained instrumental in the upheavals of negative emotions amidst the people even after the pandemic period. Most significantly, these protocols have impacted the college students socially and emotionally. To sustain the sense of happiness as well as fulfilment in life, hope, forgiveness, and gratitude are the significant contributors. This study investigated the impact of hope, forgiveness, and gratitude on the college students in the post pandemic era using the Hope Scale, the Gratitude Questionnaire, and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale to collect data. Quantitative analysis was carried out using SPSS; t-tests and ANOVA tests enabled the analysis resulting in the findings that the parents and teachers should encourage pupils to develop good habits and attend specialized trainings on cultivating hope, forgiveness, and gratitude to raise their degree of optimism and wellbeing. Keywords : Gratitude, Hope, Forgiveness, Psychology, Optimism, Wellbeing.

Validity and Reliability of the Farsi Version of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale in Iranian Cardiovascular Patients

Background and Purpose:A Farsi version of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS-F) for assessing forgiveness in Iranian cardiovascular patients was not available. This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Farsi version of HFS in this population.Methods:In this methodological cross-sectional research design, 400 Iranian cardiovascular patients completed the HFS-F between October 2019 and January 2020. We assessed the characteristics, content, and both exploratory and confirmatory construct validity of the measures. To evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the HFS-F, we calculated Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient.Results:Three factors were identified following confirmatory and deterministic factor analyses. The extracted factors demonstrated satisfactory reliability, exceeding a threshold of 0.7.Conclusions:The HFS-F exhibited a robust level of validity and reliability, rendering it a suitable instrument for future research endeavors.

Dispositional and Contextual Predictors of Forgiveness in Adults with Limb Amputation

Although people with limb amputation are exposed to different offenses related to their physical disability, there is no research exploring ways they cope with such stressors. One of prosocial methods of dealing with interpersonal transgressions is forgiveness. The aim of the study was to investigate relationships between dispositional forgiveness, contextual factors, and decisional and emotional forgiveness of a particular offense in people living with limb loss. One hundred and two persons (58 females and 44 males) with limb amputation aged 18 to 75 (M = 41.69, SD = 14.39) took part in a study. Participants completed the Heartland Forgiveness Scale, the Decision to Forgive Scale, the Emotional Forgiveness Scale and five items regarding transgressions related to limb amputation. Results revealed that disposition to forgive and contextual factors like apology and relationship quality, but not the severity of transgression, were related to acts of forgiveness following particular transgressions. However, different variables explained distinct aspects of episodic forgiveness. Decisional forgiveness was related to disposition to forgive and apology being offered by the wrongdoer. Reduction of negative emotions was explained by dispositional overcoming unforgiveness, whereas presence of positive emotions was associated only with contextual factors (apology and quality of the relationship). The findings demonstrated the complexity of experiencing forgiveness in the population of amputees. Introducing the practical implications of the study in rehabilitation and counseling for people who lost their limbs is recommended.

Subjective well-being: self-forgiveness, coping self-efficacy, mindfulness, and the role of resilience?

ABSTRACT In the current study, we investigated self-forgiveness, coping self-efficacy, mindfulness, and resilience as predictors of subjective well-being. The study group consisted of 1091 undergraduate students. A Personal Information Form, the Heartland Forgiveness Scale, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-Short Form, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were used as data collection tools in the study. Pearson Correlation Analysis and Structural Equation Model analysis were performed in the study. According to the results of the structural equation model analysis, it was revealed that all the positive characteristics in the model contributed significantly to the subjective well-being of undergraduate students. In addition, apart from the path from mindfulness to resilience, other paths in the structural model were found to be statistically significant, as well.

Forgiveness and Emotional Well-Being: A Study of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This study investigates the relationship between forgiveness and subjective well-being among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Using a quantitative correlational approach, the research aims to determine whether forgiveness significantly impacts the subjective well-being of these parents. The study involved 43 participants from SLBN 1 Palangka Raya, who completed questionnaires measuring forgiveness (Heartland Forgiveness Scale) and subjective well-being (SAPAN and SWLS scales). Descriptive statistics revealed high levels of forgiveness and subjective well-being among participants. However, Pearson correlation analysis indicated no significant relationship between the two variables. This suggests that while parents exhibit high forgiveness, it does not necessarily translate to increased life satisfaction or emotional balance. Subjective well-being is influenced by multiple factors, including gratitude, personality, self-esteem, spirituality, and social support. The study highlights the need for further research to explore these additional factors and address limitations such as incomplete samples and participant confusion during data collection. These insights are crucial for supporting the psychological well-being of parents with children who have special needs.

Peran pemaafan sebagai mediator hubungan antara kebersyukuran dan kebahagiaan pada remaja di panti asuhan

Abstract Happiness is everyone’s need, therefore everyone wants it, including teenagers in orphanages. Happinessis related to gratitude, teenagers in orphanages who have a high level of gratitude will have a high level of happiness.Likewise, teenagers in orphanages who have a high level of gratitude will have a high level of forgiveness. Teenagers inorphanages who forgive tend to be happier than teenagers who don’t forgive. The purpose of this study was to determinethe role of forgiveness as a mediator in the relationship between gratitude and happiness in adolescents in orphanages.This study uses a quantitative approach. Subjects were determined through a saturation sampling technique consistingof 100 teenagers at an orphanage in Malang City. The research instrument uses The Gratitude Questionnaire-SixItemForm (GQ-6), the Heartland forgiveness scale and the Indonesian version of The PERMA-Profiler scale. Mediationanalysis using Process model 4 by Hayes. The results show that gratitude has a positive and significant relationship tohappiness. The results of this study also prove that forgiveness is able to mediate the relationship between gratitude andhappiness with a value.The conclusion from the results of this study forgiveness can be a mediator of the relationshipbetween gratitude and happiness in adolescents in orphanages

The Mediator Role of Resilience and Rumination in the Relationship between Forgiveness and Marital Adjustment

In the current study, the mediator role of resilience and rumination in the relationship between forgiveness and marital adjustment was examined. The participants of the study are 494 married individuals and 357 (72.3%) of them are female and 137 (27.7%) are male. Their ages are between 18 and 65 (M = 40.49±7.96). The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale, The Resilience Scale-Short Form, the Ruminative Response Scale-Short Form and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale were used as the data collection tools in the study. In the analysis of the collected data, Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation model were used. As a result of the study, it was seen that resilience and rumination had a full mediator role in the relationship between forgiveness and marital adjustment. The obtained findings were discussed in reference to the literature.

The Impact of Forgiveness in Emotional Regulation and Resilience in The Face of Adversity Among Young Adults

This research paper investigates the relationship between forgiveness, emotional regulation, and resilience in young adults facing adversity. Forgiveness is conceptualized as a deliberate and voluntary process of freeing oneself from negative emotions towards the person who has caused harm. Emotional regulation refers to the ability to manage and regulate one's emotions effectively, while resilience is defined as the ability to overcome adversity and maintain psychological well-being in challenging circumstances. The study employs a correlational research design and utilizes three main tools: the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), the Nicholson McBride Resilience Questionnaire (NMRQ), and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS). A sample of 100 young adults aged 18 to 25 years is randomly selected to ensure representation across diverse demographics. The results indicate a significant moderate positive relationship between forgiveness and resilience, supporting the hypothesis that forgiveness contributes to resilience in young adults. However, the correlation between forgiveness and emotional regulation is found to be non-significant, suggesting that forgiveness may directly enhance resilience independent of its effects on emotional regulation. Emotional regulation emerges as a significant factor contributing to resilience, highlighting its importance in fostering psychological adaptation and coping mechanisms in the face of adversity among young adults. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge in positive psychology and inform interventions aimed at promoting forgiveness and resilience in individuals and communities facing adversity.

Adults' memories of parental acceptance–rejection in childhood and psychological (mal)adjustment predict forgiveness and vengeance

AbstractThis study investigated relations between emerging adults' memories of parental acceptance–rejection during childhood and the adults' dispositions towards forgiveness and vengeance, as mediated by psychological (mal)adjustment. South Asian (Pakistani) participants, including 242 (25.6%) men (Mage = 21.69, SD = 2.34) and 704 (74.4%) women (Mage = 21.14, SD = 2.09), responded to the short forms of the maternal and paternal Adult Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaires, the Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire, the Heartland Forgiveness Scale, the Vengeance Scale and a Personal Information Form. Results revealed that memories of both maternal and paternal rejection were correlated with current psychological maladjustment. Paternal rejection amongst women and maternal rejection amongst men predicted the disposition towards vengeance. Maternal acceptance amongst both men and women predicted the disposition towards forgiveness. Paternal acceptance, however, did not predict the disposition towards forgiveness amongst either men or women. Psychological adjustment amongst both men and women mediated relations between maternal and paternal acceptance and the disposition towards forgiveness. However, psychological maladjustment was a significant mediator of the relation between maternal and paternal rejection and the disposition towards vengeance amongst men and women. Implications of the findings and future directions of research are discussed.

Forgiveness Across Gender and Other Demographics: A Brief Review

The reliability of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS) Urdu version was evaluated in this article, along with the gender differences between males and females in adults. This is an 18-item self-report questionnaire devised to assess a person's forgiving disposition. In accordance with research by Davis, Hook, Van Tongeren, and Worthington Jr (2012), Goman, Kelley, and Wiesenthal’s (2016), and Johnstone et al. (2015), forgiveness, a coping strategy, enhances relationships by facilitating healing, transformation, and liberation, thereby fostering social harmony and promoting healing and enhancing interpersonal relationships. The sample composed of 160 adults (80 females, 80 males) age range was 21 to 47 (M=30.65, SD = 4.836) through convenience sampling technique. Moreover, in this study personal information form (Rohner &amp; Berger, 2023) was used to collect student and teacher demographic information and validity and reliability studies were carried out, were applied. The scale consists of 18 items with 7-points Likert option. The finding of this study revealed that Urdu version (HFS) had adequate internal consistency (?=.75) and it can be used to assess to forgiveness disposition among Pakistani sample. Moreover, t test also calculates to examine gender difference in forgiveness between male and female result indicates (t=1.219) which indicates insignificant gender difference among participants.

Burden and quality of life of family caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients: the role of forgiveness as a coping strategy

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the variables that were associated, contributed and moderated quality of life (QoL) and burden in family caregivers. Methods A total of 130 participants were evaluated using the following instruments: Depression, Anxiety and Distress Scale; Index of Family Relations; Heartland Forgiveness Scale; Burden Interview Scale; Short Form Health Survey. Results Being a younger caregiver, less distress, better family relationships and greater use of forgiveness were associated with more QoL. Also, family caregivers who chosethe caregiving role, less distress, better family relationships and greater use of forgiveness showed lower levels of burden. Age, distress and forgiveness contributed to QoL. In turn, the choice to become a family caregiver, distress, and forgiveness contributed to burden. Forgiveness played a moderating role in the relationship between family relationships and burden. Conclusion Based on the results, there is a need to intervene in older family caregivers, particularly those who did not choose to become a caregiver, who report greater distress, have worse family relationships, and display less use of forgiveness, in order to decrease their burden and promote QoL.

Forgiveness in Young Adult Dating Relationships: A Comparative Study Between Javanese and Buginese

Erikson stated that the intimacy vs isolation crisis is closely related to an individual’s ability to establish a romantic relationship. Conflict resolution is needed so that the relationship continues to run well. One of the things that can be done is to forgive. This study aims to determine the level of forgiveness in early adult dating relationships between Javanese and Bugis tribes. The study uses quantitative methods with comparative studies. The subjects in this study were Javanese (n = 20) and Bugis (n = 20) people. Data collection in this study used the Heartland Forgiveness Scale which was translated into Indonesian by the researcher. The t-test hypothesis test shows that the results of this study show no difference in the level of forgiveness in dating relationships in young Javanese and Buginese adults. This happens because there are other factors that are more influential than the influence of culture itself such as commitment, closeness and satisfaction with the relationship, emotional control, personal factor, empathy, and religious commitment.&#x0D; Keywords: Buginese, Javanese, forgiveness, dating relationships

Role of Marital Status in the Impact of Forgiveness on Psychological Resilience among Women

Mental health includes several components of living a healthy life such as one’s ability to enjoy life and to cope with stresses. Forgiveness is also one path to mental health. Present study aimed to investigate the role of marital status in the impact of forgiveness on psychological resilience. 289 women (married=151, unmarried=138) aged between 21-40 participated in the study and provided data on Heartland Forgiveness Scale (Thompson et al., 2005) and The Brief Resilience Scale (Smith et. al., 2008). Results showed a significant positive impact of forgiveness on psychological resilience among women. Findings further revealed that marital status was the significant determinant of forgiveness and resilience among women. It was found that married women have significant effects on forgiveness and resilience. Study has the implication to enhance the mental health by learning forgiveness skills, because universal forgiveness exercises can help to find best strategies to deal with feeling of stress, hurt, pain, revenge, resentment and so on.

Predictors of Posttraumatic Growth in Cancer Patients Post Treatment

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of posttraumatic growth of cancer patients post-treatment in the context of selected sociodemographic characteristics, clinical markers, and psychological variables (positive and negative emotions, anxiety and depressive symptoms, gratitude, forgiveness, hope, importance of the spiritual aspect of life and the practice of religious faith). The study sample consisted of 110 patients post-treatment aged 22-79 years and with an average time since the completion of the last treatment ranging from 5 to 396 months. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, screening methods to measure anxiety (General Anxiety Dis- order-7) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and questionnaires to measure dispositional gratitude (Gratitude Questionnaire GQ-6), dispositional hope (Adult Dispositional Hope Scale), and forgiveness (Heartland Forgiveness Scale) were used to measure the psychological variables. There were no differences in the level of posttraumatic growth in terms of sociodemographic characteristics and clinical markers. Partner status, employment status, presence of recurrence, and comorbidities did not differentiate its level either. The rate of posttraumatic growth was related to the experience of positive emotions, gratitude, the importance of the spiritual aspect of life, and the practice of religious faith. In the regression model that explained 21.90% of the variance in posttraumatic growth, only the level of positive emotions was a significant predictor. The results of the present research point suggest that the level of posttraumatic growth is associated with several areas of emotional experience and cognitive adjustment of cancer patients post-treatment.

Relations of Parental Acceptance-Rejection and Psychological (Mal)Adjustment with Forgiveness and Vengeance among Bangladeshi Young Adults

The study investigated whether adults’ memories of parental acceptance-rejection in childhood predict their current levels of forgiveness and vengeance as mediated by psychological (mal)adjustment. The data were collected from 252 young adults (Women = 137, Men = 115, Age range = 18 – 22 years; Mage = 19.42; SD = 0.99). Measures used were the Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ) short form for fathers and mothers, the Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ) short form for adults, the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), the Vengeance Scale (VS-10), and the Personal Information Form. Mediation analysis indicated that memories of maternal and paternal rejection predicted vengeance as mediated by psychological maladjustment among both men and women. Further, women’s and men’s memories of parental (both maternal and paternal) acceptance predicted forgiveness as mediated by psychological adjustment.

Relations among Memories of Parental Acceptance-Rejection, Psychological (Mal)Adjustment, Forgiveness, and Vengeance among Iranian Adults

The study investigated relations among adults’ memories of parental acceptance-rejection in childhood and adults’ current dispositions toward forgiveness and vengeance, as mediated by psychological (mal)adjustment. Data were collected from 258 adults (female = 183, Age range = 17–47 years; M age = 39; SD = 11.4). Measures used were the short forms of the maternal and paternal Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaires (PARQ), the short form of the Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ), the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), the Vengeance Scale (VS-10), and a Personal Information Form (PIF). Results showed that maternal and paternal rejection was positively associated with psychological maladjustment and negatively correlated with forgiveness for both men and women. Moreover, psychological maladjustment showed a negative relation with forgiveness and a positive relation with vengeance. Findings revealed that parental (maternal and paternal) rejection was not significantly associated with vengeance for men. However, maternal (not paternal) rejection was significantly associated with a vengeance for women. Path analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of maternal and paternal rejection on forgiveness and vengeance through psychological maladjustment. Results found no significant gender differences in the path analyses. Findings are discussed considering the Iranian culture and religious beliefs. Implications of the results and future research directions are discussed.

Examining and Comparing Perceived Parenting Styles with Intimacy and Forgiveness in University Students

kground and Objective: The present study aimed to examine and compare perceived parenting styles with intimacy and forgiveness in university students. Methods and Materials: The research method was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population consisted of university students, from which 400 students were selected using a cluster random sampling method. The tools used in this study were the Parenting Styles Questionnaire, Miller Social Intimacy Scale, and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale. Results from correlation and stepwise regression tests showed a significant relationship between students' intimacy and their parents' authoritative parenting style. Findings: The results indicated that none of the parenting styles—authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful—had a significant relationship with students' forgiveness. Conclusion: Therefore, considering the findings of this research, which showed that the perceived authoritative parenting style significantly contributes to the development of intimacy, it is recommended that parents adopt democratic and authoritative parenting styles, considering their children's perceptions and understanding, to foster positive personality traits such as intimacy in their children.

Relations among Parental Acceptance-Rejection and Forgiveness and Vengeance: A Comparison between Pakistani Madrassa and Public School Students

This study investigated relations among adolescents’ perceptions of parental acceptance and rejection, psychological (mal)adjustment, forgiveness, and vengeance in the predominantly Muslim country of Pakistan. Participants included adolescent males (M age = 17, SD = 1.4, range = 15–19) from madrassas (educational institutions for Islamic instruction; n = 355) and public schools (n = 355). They responded to short forms of the maternal and paternal Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaires (PARQ), the Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ), the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), the Vengeance Scale (VS-10), and a Personal Information Form (PIF). Findings revealed that both the madrassa students and the public school students perceived their mothers (but not their fathers) to be warm and loving. The adolescents also reported fair psychological adjustment, and on average, were forgiving and non-vengeful. However, madrassa students reported perceiving their parents—especially their mothers—as more loving and accepting than did public school students. Additionally, madrassa students reported better psychological adjustment, a greater tendency to be forgiving, and a lesser tendency to be vengeful than did public school students. Maternal and paternal rejection were positively correlated with psychological maladjustment and vengeance, whereas maternal and paternal acceptance were associated with psychological adjustment and forgiveness among both groups of students. Psychological adjustment was a significant mediator of the relation between parental acceptance and the disposition toward forgiveness for both groups. Psychological maladjustment was not a significant mediator between paternal rejection and vengeance among madrassa students, but not public school students. Implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.

Relations between Parental Acceptance-Rejection and Forgiveness/Vengeance as Mediated by Psychological Adjustment among Egyptian Adults

The study investigated relations among parental (maternal and paternal) acceptance-rejection and dispositions toward forgiveness and vengeance, as mediated by psychological (mal)adjustment. Data were collected using convenience sampling from 341 adults (87% females) ranging from 18 years to above 52 years old. Measures used were short forms of the maternal and paternal Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaires (PARQ) to investigate recollections of parental acceptance-rejection, the short form of the Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ) to evaluate which participants were psychologically (mal)adjusted, the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), the Vengeance Scale (VS-10) to investigate levels of forgiveness and vengeance respectively, and a Personal Information Form (PIF). The results indicated that participants perceived significant signs of paternal rejection and substantial maternal acceptance during childhood. Men and women self-reported fair psychological adjustment. Women reported having no disposition toward vengeance, whereas men slightly leaned toward vengeance. Participants were equally likely to be unforgiving as forgiving. Psychological adjustment mediated the relations between maternal acceptance (but not paternal acceptance) and forgiveness among men and women. Psychological maladjustment mediated the relations between maternal rejection and vengeance among women, but not men. Psychological maladjustment did not mediate relations between paternal rejection and vengeance. Limitations and implications of the findings are discussed.