Examining the Effectiveness of Two Types of Forgiveness Intervention to Enhance Well-Being in Adults from Young to Older Adulthood

Background: The present study examined the efficacy of two self-guided interventions, which aimed at enhancing adults’ wellbeing through the cultivation of forgiveness skills. Methods: A total of 11 men and 31 women aged 34-80 years were involved (M = 56.57, S.D. = 13.44). The participants were asked to complete questionnaires measuring the sense of wellbeing, the trait of forgiveness, and avoidance, revenge, and benevolence motivations. Subsequently, they were randomly divided into two groups which were matched in age, gender and educational level, and one group followed the General (n = 22), and the other one the Orthodox-Tradition-Enhanced Intervention (n = 20). The two interventions included six steps towards forgiveness. For their completion a combination of individual sessions and a personal study were implemented. The process was completed in one week. Participants were also asked to complete the same questionnaires immediately after the intervention as well as two weeks after the intervention (follow-up measurement). Results: The results showed that forgiveness skills and subjective wellbeing were strengthened via both interventions and significantly more in the Orthodox. The primacy of the Orthodox approach has been demonstrated to reduce negative emotions and to promote a sense of wellbeing over time. Possible mechanisms for the effectiveness of the intervention are discussed. Conclusions: The findings are promising for the ability of forgiveness interventions, and especially of that based on the Orthodox tradition, to improve the forgiving skills and increase mental wellbeing in adults.