Date
4-7-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Lisa Ansell
Keywords
critical disability theory, disability, REACH Forgiveness Model, self-acceptance, stress and coping theory, stress and coping model of forgiveness
Disciplines
Counseling
Recommended Citation
Browers, Diane Delezene, "The Shared Experiences of Learning Forgiveness of Oneself Using the REACH Forgiveness Model for Those with Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8114.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8114
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to understand the shared lived experiences of disabled persons after using self-forgiveness coping skills. The theory guiding this study is Lazarus and Folkman’s stress and coping theory, which explores the ability of a person to manage stressors when the mind is overwhelmed and the ability to cope with stress falters. Furthermore, the stress and coping model of forgiveness, which was developed lessen stress by using forgiveness as a coping strategy, and critical disability theory are foundational to this study with specific relation to chronic illness, mental health, and ableism. The principal element of this study is forgiveness. When the body becomes disabled whether from an accident or chronic illness, a sense of one’s body failing can impact self-identity and perceived abilities for self-care. A tool for learning positive coping skills, REACH Forgiveness Model in an online psychoeducational format, was explored in this study as a way for people with disabilities to learn to use positive coping skills to find self-acceptance within their circumstances and learn better ways to manage stress for better mental health and life satisfaction. Concept mapping was used to analyze participant responses to interview questions to identify common themes associated with forgiveness and living with a disability. The overall results of this study indicated that people with chronic illness and disabilities who have access to the REACH Forgiveness Model were able to apply the principles to find better acceptance of their circumstances. However, forgiveness of their bodies for not functioning as they once did, will be a continual process.
