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Intervention Studies on Forgiveness: A Meta-Analysis
Summary
This article gives the views of two authors, Baskin and Enright, in regards to their
thoughts on several interventions into forgiveness. They apply their thoughts on the subject to
different clinical situations and analyze their discoveries. The environment for each situation
that forgiveness is required is introduced and these areas include marriage, parenting situations,
friendship issues and professional setting issues. The authors looked at each individual case and
they matched each level of forgiveness with how it correlated with one’s health. Various theories
are discussed in this article and local groups are created: decision-based, process-based group
and process-based individual interventions. A measurable assessment was conducted by the
authors in this article in order to measure the power of forgiveness. At the end of the research,
three conclusions were revealed. The first revelation was that process models in the area of
forgiveness are better identified than the decision-based models. The second finding was that
longer-term counseling was more beneficial in influencing forgiveness than medium-term
counseling that took place in group settings. The last important conclusion that was revealed was
that when process-based counseling was used continuously, the outcome value of particular
groups was expanded.
In conclusion, the current forgiveness method does not support the decision-based
intervention model. The control group that was used displayed discrepancies when compared to
the information and results that were gathered (Baskin & Enright, p. 87).
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Reflection
When I began reading this article, I believed that decision-based interventions when
coupled with counseling would end up being the most effective. Basking & Enright (2004)
reported that the counseling was ineffective (p.87) and potentially inadequate. In order to obtain
a more exact outcome, additional studies would be required. This proved that counseling can
potentially help individuals who feel or think that someone has offended them (Baskin &
Enright, 2004, p.87).
In order for individuals to have healthy relationships with one another, they must practice
forgiveness. This is an act that everyone will have to learn to practice since we are living in a
sinful world and people will always be offended by others. In this world, we will be introduced
to those who easily forgive others and those who will hold grudges to their grave.
Ferch (1998) was mentioned in this article and the method of intentional forgiving was
discussed. He outlined methods of how individuals can forgive intentionally. One method that
was discussed was face to face forgiveness (p. 82). This process was encouraged in some cases
as a way to put things on the table so issues can be faced adequately. Not all situations work
well with this specific process because some individuals require more time to process the
situation that has caused offense, even after forgiveness has taken place.
Uncovering is the first step that was discussed by Baskin & Enright (2004). This process
was designed to help clients work through discovering “the injustice” that
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they may feel they have endured (p. 81). During this step, the client will need to look inward and
try to determine why they feel angry and come up with a way to resolve these feelings (Baskin &
Enright, 2004, p.80). This is a very important step that a lot of people don’t know how to
navigate through and then they can become even more angry.
The decision phase is the second step. During this phase, the client will learn how to
regulate their emotions and search for ways to problem solve. A change of heart is necessary
during this stage and the individual needs to be willing to forgive (p. 80). During the third phase,
the work phase, the client will need to start viewing their offender in a different way, have
empathy towards them and be able to accept the pain that they feel (p.80).
Finally, the outcome phase is entered, and this is where the client will need to look at
others and find meaning. During this phase, the client will realize that there was a time when
they needed forgiveness from other people and that they need to forgive to rid of negative effects
(Baskin & Enright, 2004, p. 80).
I believe that the meta-analysis is helpful to individuals in the human services’ counseling
field. The models that are discussed give helpful information throughout the different phases in
the forgiveness model. This can be a valuable guide if the professionals are able to study and
understand the models that were outlined. When used correctly, these models can help
individuals learn to express their anger in helpful ways, reduce their anger so it can be managed
and help individuals reduce their anxiety when they are going through trying times (p.80). When
used properly, individuals can begin to express themselves in a way that can lead to healing.
Application
I have been working with a client named Lisa. Lisa is in the process of divorcing her
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husband of ten years after she caught him being unfaithful. During the first few visits, we read
Scripture together and discussed the importance of forgiveness and how Christ commands that
we forgive one another. Although she is aware this will be a process, she understands her
position as a Christian. The first 5 visits, we began with the uncovering process (p.81) and she
discussed the feelings of injustice that she had and how she can address them in a healthy
manner. During this process, she wrote down what she felt his offenses were and how they made
her feel. We discussed how she could get past those feelings of injustice and prepared for the
next few visits. During those next visits, we entered the second stage, the decision stage. During
these visits, we focused on forgiveness. We had discussions on how forgiveness eliminates
bitterness and allows freedom in the victim’s life. This is the stage when a change of heart is
necessary (p.80). I had Lisa write down what forgiveness looked like beside each of the offenses
that were addressed during the first stage visits. We talked about how we offend Jesus every day
of our lives, yet He still saw fit to wash our sins by dying on the cross.
Once I felt that we were comfortable with the second stage, we traveled to the third stage,
the work stage. This stage took quite a few weeks and we focused on viewing her husband as a
human with feelings. I asked her to write down all of the good memories that they had over the
past 10 years and she reminisced about the joyful times that they shared with one another. This
was done to create empathy for her husband, as a person, not just the offender. This was the point
of therapy when we talked about all of the things that her husband has lost, due to his poor
decisions (p.80).
As we approached the final stage, the outcome stage, I encouraged Lisa to look at the
support she had around her and to start focusing on those that were supporting her. Lisa was
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encouraged to talk about the times that she made mistakes and how she needed forgiveness from
others. It was made clear how holding on to unforgiveness can cause negative effects in her life
and won’t allow her to experience freedom (Baskin & Enright, 2004, p. 80). These steps proved
to be extremely valuable in the life of Lisa and her family.
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References
Baskin, T. W., & Enright, R. D. (2004). Intervention studies on forgiveness: a meta-analysis.
journal of counseling & development, 82(1), 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-
6678.2004.tb00288.
Ferch, S.R. (1998). Intentional forgiving as a counseling intervention. Journal of counseling
& development, 76(3), 261-70. http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2F
Scholarly-journals%2Fintentional-forgiving-as-counseling-intervention%2Fdocview%
2Fdocview%2F62482714%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D12085
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