FORGIVENESS EDUCATION WITH PARENTALLY LOVE-DEPRIVED LATE ADOLESCENTS

Two studies with male and female college students (n = 48 in study 1, n = 45 in study 2), who judged themselves to be parentally love-depriv ed, engaged in a randomised, experimental and control group design foc used on forgiving the parent(s). Study 1 was a 4-day workshop centring on a commitment to forgive. Study 2 was a 6-day workshop that include d more of the therapeutic regimen from the Enright and the Human Devel opment Study Group (1991) forgiveness model. Study 1 showed only modes t effects. The experimental group gained more in hope and in one aspec t of forgiveness relative to the control group. Study 2, a more comple te programme than the first, showed more broadbased results. Relative to the control group, the experimental group was significantly lower i n anxiety and higher in forgiveness, positive attitudes toward the par ents, hope and self-esteem. Implications for forgiveness education are drawn.