The impact of a forgiveness intervention with Hong Kong Chinese children hurt in interpersonal relationships

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of a small group process-based forgiveness intervention with Hong Kong Chinese children who judged themselves to have been hurt and chose not to forgive their offenders. An experimental versus control group, with pre-test/post-test design was used. The quantitative and qualitative findings revealed that the forgiveness participants out-performed their counterparts in forgiveness attitudes, psychological well-being and conceptual understanding of forgiveness. The forgiveness intervention had an impact on their decision and emotion to forgive. Empathy was considered a key strategy in forgiveness. Implications of these findings for future forgiveness intervention in school guidance were discussed.

Keywords:

• forgiveness
• guidance
• counselling
• children
• Chinese
• intervention

Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge the University of Hong Kong Committee on Research and Conference Grants for funding our research.