Barriers and Factors Facilitating State Forgiveness among Religious/Spiritual and Secular/Atheist People: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative study investigated factors that facilitate and obstruct state forgiveness among religious/spiritual and secular/atheist participants. In-depth interviews were carried out to collect data. Participants who had practiced forgiveness within the context of past and present ongoing relationships were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Grounded theory methods were used to analyse the interviews. Results indicate that factors facilitating forgiveness consisted of religious/spiritual beliefs and practices such as connectedness with others, acceptance of karma, being of service to others, prayer and meditation. Secular strategies were also cited across participants; these entailed accepting responsibility, focusing on positive characteristics, making amends, expressing thoughts and feelings about the harm as well as empathy. Key factors that inhibited forgiveness were blaming, lacking acknowledgement, ruminating, desiring revenge, feeling powerless, experiencing physical closeness and ongoing transgressions. Based on results, this study suggests that a unique range of factors need to be taken into account to further understand the inhibition or promotion of state forgiveness. In line with previous research, commonalities are highlighted across participants, such as externalising causes, as a key factor that inhibits forgiveness.

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