Effectiveness of the forgiveness program REACH in university students from the Peruvian jungle

Aranda-Turpo J.; Ramos J.H.; Quinteros-Zúñiga D.; White M.; Esteban R.C. · Terapia Psicologica (2023) · DOI: 10.4067/s0718-48082023000200159

Resumen

The REACH forgiveness program is a viable and evidence-based treatment; however, it has not been applied in Spanish-speaking participants. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the REACH forgiveness program on depression, anxiety, stress and motivations for interpersonal transgression in university students living in the Peruvian jungle. The design of the study was experimental, of a quasi-experimental type. Thirty-eight university students (71.1% women) aged 18 to 40 years (M=21, Me=20.50, SD=4.29) participated, divided into two groups (intervention group, 20; and control, 18). The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the TransgressionRelated Interpersonal Motivations scale (TRIM-18), and Worthington's REACH forgiveness program were used. The results showed that, in the treatment group, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were reduced. In addition to increasing forgiveness and decreasing revenge and avoidance towards the offender; however, there were no significant differences in benevolence. While, in the control group, no significant differences were found before and after the treatment. It is concluded that the forgiveness program is effective in improving the mental health and interpersonal relationships of the university participants.

Instituciones: Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola; Universidad Peruana Unión