Review of The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy on Depression

Review of "The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy on Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress for Women After Spousal Emotional Abuse”

Summary

This study provides a comparison of forgiveness therapy and alternative treatment in females who were exposed to spousal emotional abuse. Reed and Enright (2006) posit clients will achieve greater relief of negative psychological symptoms in long-term recovery with the use of forgiveness therapy in replacement of alternative treatments that have been utilized prior. Reed and Enright state, “the theoretical and empirical literature on efficacious postrelationship, postcrisis treatment for spousal psychological abuse is sparse” (2006, p. 920) suggesting a need for more empirical studies. Reed and Enright (2006) reference various empirical studies that demonstrate the efficacy of forgiveness therapy in regard to incest and in drug rehabilitation. With this study, the intent is to crossover to treatment for spousal emotional abuse.

The sample consisted of 20 psychologically abused women (ages 32-54 years) who were at least two years separated from their abuser. The purpose of this was to avoid any “false forgiveness” or empathy leading to reunification of the woman with her abuser (Reed & Enright, 2006, p. 922). The researchers also accounted for some of the variables that may have skewed the results such as removal of subjects who are in an emotionally abusive relationship presently or if the woman was physically abused as a child. The women were screened via various measures in a pretest and posttest. After the pretest, the experimental group received 1-hour individual therapy sessions utilizing the Enright forgiveness process model. The control group received treatment based on...

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...e. Christ offered forgiveness to those who were crucifying him as seen in Luke 23:34. He exhibited forgiving those who do us harm. In Ephesians 4:31-32 we are also reminded not to hold onto those negative emotions but rather be kind and forgive one another just as Christ has forgiven us. These verses provide validation for forgiveness therapy.

Therefore, whether in secular or non-secular counseling, we can utilize the evidence for forgiveness therapy. To guide us to freedom from the negative emotions that stop us from being in a place of peace or prevent us from being more like Christ.

Works Cited

Reed, G. L., & Enright, R. D. (2006). The effects of forgiveness therapy on depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress for women after spousal emotional abuse. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(5), 920-929. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.74.5.920