Treating Adult Children of Alcoholics Through Forgiveness Therapy

Abstract

This study examined two forms of group therapy for adult children of alcoholics; a forgiveness intervention was compared to a conflict resolution intervention. Twelve adults were randomly assigned to the treatment conditions and completed the 12-week interventions. At the end of 12 weeks, the conflict resolution group received the forgiveness intervention whereas the original forgiveness group received no further treatment. Measures of forgiveness, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, anger, and positive relationships were administered before and after each intervention. Both groups showed significant psychological improvements suggesting forgiveness therapy is a viable option for adult children of alcoholics. The therapeutic implications are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Adult children of alcoholics
• forgiveness
• intervention
• well-being

Notes

^aDue to an error in data collection n = 5 for anxiety variable.

^bDue to an error in data collection, n = 5 for anger variable.

* = p < .05; EFI = Enright Forgiveness Inventory; CSEI = Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory; BDI = Beck Depression Inventory; STAI = Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAXI = Spielberger State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory.

* = p < .05; EFI = Enright Forgiveness Inventory; CSEI = Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory; BDI = Beck Depression Inventory; STAI = Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAXI = Spielberger State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory.