Date

4-18-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Rachel Piferi

Keywords

Prolonged unforgiveness, Christian, bitterness, forgiveness, offense

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of the qualitative study was to explore Christian women's experiences and understanding of prolonged unforgiveness from the perspective of people living with prolonged unforgiveness. Harboring unforgiveness leads to unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and increased bitterness. It also leads to negative emotional experiences and physical and psychological concerns. A previous study encountered a transparent narrative that it is not good to harbor bitterness toward others. Some researchers have explored the outcomes of unforgiveness that involve empirical analysis. Other studies have described the nature of unforgiveness and its effects without explaining what unforgiveness does to people if it is prolonged and strategies to overcome unforgiveness. The dissertation explored Christian women's experiences of prolonged unforgiveness, understanding prolonged unforgiveness as a behavior, and strategies for overcoming prolonged unforgiveness. A sample of 15 participants between 21 - 45 years of age was recruited through purposive sampling. Data was collected through a semi-structured interview. The participants' responses to the interview were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. The main themes from their experience included negative emotion, impacts of unforgiveness, impacts of teaching and studying the Bible, emotional struggle and healing, spiritual growth and obedience, community and support, emotional impact, spiritual impact, and social support.

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