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