Forgiveness as a Factor of Adjustment in Bereaved Parents. Issue 2 (17th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Záhorcová, Lucia; Halama, Peter; Enright, Robert D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of loss and trauma. Volume 25:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 188
• Page End: 203
• Publication Date: 2020-02-17
• Subjects: Self-forgiveness -- forgiveness -- anger toward God -- bereaved parents -- loss of a child -- meaning; Loss (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Adjustment (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Life change events -- Periodicals; Interpersonal relations -- Periodicals; 154.4
• DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2019.1664786
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1532-5024

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to focus on the relationship of forgiveness toward others, self-forgiveness, and anger toward God after the loss of a child. A sample of 84 grieving parents completed a battery of questionnaires. Self-forgiveness was found to be the strongest predictor of avoiding negative psychological adjustment after the loss (defined by the variables of normative and complicated grief, depression, anxiety, and anger) and the strongest predictor of positive psychological adjustment after the loss (defined by the variables of life meaningfulness, sense-making, benefit finding, and meaning reconstruction).