Adult Life Satisfaction and the Role of Forgiveness After Childhood Sexual Abuse: Evidence from a Seventh‐day Adventist Cohort

Abstract

Negative physical and mental health outcomes are well documented for those who experience child sexual abuse. We explore the role of three types of dispositional forgiveness (of self, of others, and by God) as effect modifiers of the child sexual abuse and life satisfaction relationship. In 2010–2011, a sample of 5,506 Seventh‐day Adventists reported levels of forgiveness, life satisfaction, and whether or not they had experienced sexual abuse in each of the two age periods (younger than 8 years and 8–18 years). Reported experience of childhood sexual abuse lowered life satisfaction regardless of when the child sexual abuse occurred. Forgiveness of self and of others were associated with higher life satisfaction regardless of sexual abuse exposure. Feeling forgiven by God was associated with increased life satisfaction indirectly through forgiveness of self and others. However, for those abused later in childhood, the association of abuse with reduced life satisfaction was weaker for those who felt forgiven by God. These findings suggest forgiveness by God operates primarily through forgiveness of self (and others) but can also buffer the effects of childhood sexual abuse on later life satisfaction when the abuse occurs in childhood/adolescence.

On the possibility of forgiveness in child sexual abuse

“…En algún momento, las víctimas deben aceptar que el delito ha ocurrido y que es parte de sus propias vidas; no se trata de intentar hacer "como si no" y olvidarlo, sino de encontrarle un lugar donde colocarlo y poder seguir viviendo. El proceso de recuperación incluye encontrar esperanza en el futuro y sentido en la vida (Morton et al, 2019). 8.…”

Role of Forgiveness in The Grief Process for Children in Crisis

“…I also believe that this process must happen for abused children are able to grow spiritually. Morton et al, (2019) explains that God's forgiveness operates through self-forgiveness (as well as forgiving others).…”

Is It Possible to Forgive Child Sexual Abuse?

“…(3) At some point, the victims must accept that the offense has occurred and that it is part of their own lives; it is not about trying to act “as if nothing ever happened” and forgetting it but about finding a place for it and being able to continue living. The recovery process includes finding hope in the future and meaning in life (Morton et al, 2019 ). (4) It is important to overcome helplessness and lack of control and to facilitate responsibility for one's life, for the future.…”