The Effectiveness of Forgiveness Meditation Intervention in the Group of Emerging Adult Students

Abstract

Evidence of the effectiveness of forgiveness meditation intervention among college students in ‘emergingadulthood’ is still limited. This study aims to examine the effect of forgiveness meditation intervention towardforgiveness, self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and forgiveness of situations among college students. Thisstudy used a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design with measurements follow-up two weeks aftertreatment ended. The subjects were “emerging adulthood”, as many as 9 college students from DiponegoroUniversity, Indonesia (MAge = 20.67; SDAge = 0.5; Female = 77.8%). The results of quantitative analysis usingstatistical test of Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test between pretest and posttest showed a significant increase inforgiveness (z = -2.668, p < .01), self-forgiveness (z = -2.670, p < .01), and forgiveness of situations (z = -2.384,p < .05). Testing between posttest and follow-up were not significant (p > .05). However, the test results betweenpretest and follow-up on these three variables were still significant, z = -2.668, p <.01; z = -2.673, p < .01; and z= -2.388, p < .05, respectively. In contrast, no significant increase in the variable of forgiveness of others (p >.05). The qualitative analysis and further discussions are also presented.

Psychological interventions to promote self-forgiveness: a systematic review

“…On the other hand, the study by Toussaint et al [35] could enhance the self-forgiveness feelings and actions but not self-forgiving beliefs. Contrary to the existing findings, the study by Jo and An [48] did not enhance self-forgiveness, while the study by Kahija et al [58] could not bring a significant change in any of the observed outcome variables. There are certain positive psychological variables that are improved through different interventions in these studies, such as forgiveness towards others and situational forgiveness [62], self-compassion [64], self-acceptance, self-improvement [51], and life satisfaction [48].…”

“…Among the five group interventions analyzed, two of them could not enhance the self-forgiveness of the participants. The duration of intervention was less in the study of Kahija et al [58] which could be a possible reason for its ineffectiveness.…”

“…As mentioned above, the risk of bias was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tool. Fourteen studies were randomized controlled trials [15,29,, five were quasiexperimental [45,48,53,54,58], and two were qualitative…”

“…The intervention concluded with a focus on maintaining commitment and achieving growth. Kahija et al [58] investigated the efficacy of a meditation intervention. The session consisted of an introduction, relaxation technique, meditation practice, and distribution of the training kits to the participants.…”