Beyond HIV Shame: Effects of Self-Forgiveness in Improving Mental Health in HIV-Positive Individuals in Poland

Skalski-Bednarz, Sebastian Binyamin; Toussaint, Loren L.; Surzykiewicz, Janusz

doi:10.1007/s10943-024-02084-7

J Relig Health

2024

DOI: 10.1007/s10943-024-02084-7

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Beyond HIV Shame: Effects of Self-Forgiveness in Improving Mental Health in HIV-Positive Individuals in Poland

Sebastian Binyamin Skalski-Bednarz,

Loren L. Toussaint,

Janusz Surzykiewicz

Abstract: Guided by the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual approach, this randomized controlled trial assessed the efficacy of a self-forgiveness intervention among 60 HIV-positive individuals in Poland. Participants underwent a 90-min "Restore: The Journey Toward Self-Forgiveness" session, in contrast to a wait-list control group. The intervention significantly enhanced self-forgiveness, spirituality, mental well-being, and heart rate variability in response to a cognitive stressor (i.e., a mental arithmetic challenge). Signif… Show more

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Cited by 2 publications

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Forgiveness in Poland: Rye Forgiveness Scale Adaptation and Its Longitudinal Impact on Mental Health in HIV‐Positive Individuals

Skalski‐Bednarz,

Toussaint,

Dobrakowski

2024

J Clin Psychol

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Within psychological research, the concept of forgiveness has gained recognition for its potential impact on health, underlining the need for culturally adapted assessment tools and longitudinal studies to substantiate its effects. In this two‐phase research project, we initially adapted the Rye Forgiveness Scale (RFS) to measure state forgiveness in the Polish context with 740 participants. Reliability analysis and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the RFS's structure and internal consistency (absence of negative α = 0.87, presence of positive α = 0.86, full scale α = 0.84). Positive associations with other measures of forgiveness, religiosity, connection to nature, and mental well‐being validated the scale's efficacy. The second phase evaluated the impact of state forgiveness on the mental health of 214 HIV‐positive Polish individuals across three 6‐month intervals. Utilizing the stress‐and‐coping model, this phase investigated forgiveness as a protective factor against negative mental health outcomes. The findings indicated that forgiveness could positively influence mental health, underscoring its importance in promoting well‐being among vulnerable groups. This research provides a culturally validated tool for measuring forgiveness and illuminates its health benefits, emphasizing its significance for diverse populations.

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Forgiveness in Poland: Rye Forgiveness Scale Adaptation and Its Longitudinal Impact on Mental Health in HIV‐Positive Individuals

Skalski‐Bednarz,

Toussaint,

Dobrakowski

2024

J Clin Psychol

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The interplay of forgiveness by God and self-forgiveness: a longitudinal study of moderating effects on stress overload in a religious Canadian sample

Skalski-Bednarz

2024

BMC Psychol

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Background A consistent link between self-forgiveness and well-being has been established, yet a full understanding of self-forgiveness and its correlates, particularly in relation to forgiveness by God, remains limited, especially given that most existing data are cross-sectional. This study sought to address this gap by investigating the interplay between self-forgiveness and perceived forgiveness by God in reducing stress overload among religious individuals over time. Methods This study involved 211 religious individuals in Canada, 55% of whom were female. Through multilevel analyses, the research examined the between-person, within-person, and cross-level effects of these forms of forgiveness on stress across three waves conducted over a total 12-month period. Results The findings suggested that the effectiveness of self-forgiveness in mitigating stress may be significantly influenced by the perception of forgiveness by God, with the greatest stress reduction occurring when forgiveness by God was perceived at higher levels. Conclusions These findings highlight the potential value of incorporating spiritual dimensions into psychological approaches to stress management, offering insights into the complex relationships between different forms of forgiveness and their impact on mental health of religious individuals. Future research is encouraged to further explore these dynamics across diverse cultural and religious contexts.

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Beyond HIV Shame: Effects of Self-Forgiveness in Improving Mental Health in HIV-Positive Individuals in Poland

Cited by 2 publications

References 63 publications

Forgiveness in Poland: Rye Forgiveness Scale Adaptation and Its Longitudinal Impact on Mental Health in HIV‐Positive Individuals

Forgiveness in Poland: Rye Forgiveness Scale Adaptation and Its Longitudinal Impact on Mental Health in HIV‐Positive Individuals

The interplay of forgiveness by God and self-forgiveness: a longitudinal study of moderating effects on stress overload in a religious Canadian sample

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