The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy on Depression, Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress for Women after Spousal Emotional Abuse Shelia Williams

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The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy on Depression,
Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress for Women after Spousal Emotional Abuse
Summary
This research study compiled information regarding the development, validity, and results of forgiveness therapy and compared it to that of an alternative treatment (brief therapy) for women who experienced emotional abuse from their husbands or significant others. The authors hypothesized that forgiveness therapy would be more effective than the alternative treatment regarding the alleviation of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms including the increase of self-esteem, competence of managing daily responsibilities and discovering worth in unjust affliction (Reed & Enright, 2006). The focus of forgiveness therapy is finding sympathy for the abuser while releasing all resentment and animosity without justifying the act of abuse or considering reconciliation with the abuser. On the other hand, the alternative treatment for women who are emotionally abused consists of validating anger, encouraging assertiveness, and setting boundaries in ...

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