| This research study examined the role of forgiveness in improving the psychological health of middle school adolescents struggling with generalized anger to determine whether forgiveness would impact a child's overall resiliency, and therefore his or her ability to manage anger and cope with stress. In the entire body of research on forgiveness, this is the first study of middle school children. These children are presumed to be exhibiting aggressive responses as a result of anger that has developed over prior injustices. The child who has been wronged can develop a tendency toward covert or overt hostility characterized by passive or active aggressive behavior, withdrawal, depression low self-concept and/or interpersonal problems. The point of interest in this study was whether or not the introduction of forgiveness could relieve their psychological tension, improve overall social and psychological functioning and thereby reduce the negative consequences of chronic, unresolved anger. The effects of this forgiveness education program were compared to the effects of a Rogerian-based program where forgiveness was not discussed. Forgiveness was proposed as one factor that could strengthen an angry child's response to stressful life events by teaching him or her to perceive these events in less self-destructive ways, thereby preventing response patterns that hinder optimum psychological health for a lifetime. Results showed a significant improvement in the forgiveness program participants compared with the control group on the following variables: attitude to school, attitude to teachers, self-reliance, relationships with parents, interpersonal relationships, trait anger, angry temperament, angry reaction, grades in school, school discipline, and forgiveness. No significant improvements were made in self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. |
