Compassion and Forgiveness- Based Intervention Program on Enhancing the Subjective Well-Being of Filipino Counselors: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Main Article Content
Keywords
compassion, Filipino counselors, forgiveness of others, forgiveness of self, intervention program, self-compassion subjective well-being, education
Abstract
This study reports the initial try out of an intervention program aimed to enhance subjective wellbeing through increase in individual's levels of compassion and forgiveness. The program was conducted among Filipino counselors. A single group pretest-posttest quasiexperimental design was adopted to test the effect of the Compassion and Forgiveness-Based Intervention Program on subjective well-being. Sixteen counselors enrolled in their post graduate degree were recruited to participate in the modular courses held in four sessions, four hours per session run in a two-month period. Pre-test and posttest assessments were conducted before and after the intervention program. Results obtained from paired t-tests demonstrated significant increase in the counselors' levels of compassion for others, self-compassion, forgiveness of others and subjective well-being after the intervention program. The results provide initial evidence on the role of compassion and forgiveness as pathways to subjective well-being. It is recommended that more interventionist research agenda be conducted to further examine the role of compassion, forgiveness to counselors' well-being
References
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Butler, M.H., Dahlin, S. K., & Fife, S.T (2002). “Languaging” factors affecting clients' acceptance of forgiveness intervention in marital therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28(3), 285-298.
Diener, E., Scollon, C.N., & Lucas, R.E (2003). The evolving concept of subjective well-being: the multifaceted nature of happiness. Advances in Cell Aging and Gerontology, 15, 187-219.
Freedman, F.D., & Enright, R.D. (1996). Forgiveness as an intervention goal with incest survivors. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(5), 983-992.
Gilbert P. (2007) Psychotherapy and Counselling for Depression (3rd edn). London: Sage. Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2004). A pilot exploration of the use of compassionate images in group of selfcritical people. Memory, 12, 507-516.
Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2005). Focused therapies and compassionate mind training for shame and self-attacking. In P. Gilbert (Ed). Compassion: Conceptualization, research and use in psychotherapy pp. 263-325. NY: Routledge.
Gilbert, P., & Procter, S. (2006). Compassionate Mind Training for people with high shame and selfcriticism: overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 13, 353-379.
Griffin, B.J., Worthington Jr. E.L., Bell, C.M., & Davis, D.E. (2017). Self-directed intervention to promote self-forgiveness. Handbook of the Psychology of Self –Forgiveness pp.207-208: Switzerland: Springer.
Hall, J.H., & Fincham, F.D. (2005). Self-forgiveness: The stepchild of forgiveness research. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 24, 621-637.
Hargrave, T. (2001). Forgiving the devil: Coming to terms with damaged relationships. Phoenix, AZ: Tucker and Theisen.
Hebl, J. H. & Enright, R. D. (1993). Forgiveness as a psychotherapeutic goal with elderly females. Psychotherapy, 30, 658-667.
Hernandez, R. (2006). The construction, validation and standardization of the subjective well-being scale for young adults (Unpublished Thesis). University of
Santo Tomas.
Hutcherson, C., Seppala, E., & Gross, J. (2008). Lovingkindness meditation increases social connectedness. Emotion. 8(5), 720-724. DOI: 10.1037/a0013237.
Jenkins, S.R., & Baird, S. (2002). Secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma: a validational study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 15, 423-432.
Kanter, J. (2007). Compassion fatigue and secondary traumatization a second look. Social Work Journal. 35: 289-293.
Lawler, K.A., Younger, J.W., Piferi, R.L., Billington, E., Jobe, R., Edmondson, K., et al. (2003). A change of heart: cardiovascular correlates of forgiveness in response to interpersonal conflict. Journal of Behavior Medicine, 26, 373-393.
Leary, M. R., Tate, E., Allen, A.B., Adams, C. E., & Hancock J. (2007). Self-compassion and reactions to unpleasant self-relevant events: implications of treating oneself kindly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 887-904.
Lee, D.A. (2009). Compassion focused cognitive therapy for shame-based trauma memories and flashbacks in PTSD. In N. Grey (Ed.) A casebook of cognitive therapy for traumatic stress reactions. Chapter 15. London: Routledge.
Luskin, F. M., Ginzburg, K., & Thoresen, C. E. (2005). The effect of forgiveness training on psychosocial factors in college age adults. Humboldt Journal of Social Relations. Special Issue: Altruism, Intergroup Apology and Forgiveness: Antidote for a Divided World. 29(2) 163-184.
Luskin, F.M (2002). Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness. Harper Collins: San Francisco.
Maltby, J., Day, L., & Barber, L (2005). Forgiveness and mental health variables. Individual Differences 37, 1629-1641.
Mayhew, S., & Gilbert, P., (2008). Compassionate mind training with people who hear malevolent voices: a case science report. Clinical Psychology and
Psychotherapy 15 (2), 113-138.
McCullough, M.E., Rachal, K.C., Sandage, S.J., Worthington, E.L., Jr., Brown, S.W., & Hight, T.L. (1998). Interpersonal forgiving in close relationships. Theoretical elaboration and measurement. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 75-1586-1603.
Moore, P. (2008). Introducing mindfulness to clinical psychologists in training: An experiential course of brief exercises. Journal of Clinical Psychology in
Medical Settings 15, 331-337.
Neff, K. (2011). The power of self-compassion. The path to caring for yourself. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thepower-self-compassion.
Neff, K.D. (2003b). Self-compassion: an alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity 2, 85-102.
Neff, K.D. (2003a). Development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity 2, 223-250.
Neff, K.D., Kirkpatrick, K.L., & Rude, S. (2007). Accepting the human condition: Self-compassion and its links to adaptive psychological functioning. Journal of Personality, 41-139-154.
Neff, K.D., & Pommier, E. (2012). The relationship between self-compassion and other-focused concern among college under graduates community adults and practicing meditators. Self-and Identity.
Neff, K.D., & Vonk, R. (2009). Self-compassion versus global self-esteem: Two different ways of relating to oneself. Journal of Personality 77 (1) 23-50.
Pommier, E (2010). The compassion scale. Dissertation Abstracts International 72(04). Retrieved from: http://hdl.handle.net/2152/ETD-UT-2010-12-2213.
Roxas, M., David, A., Caligner, E (2014). Compassion and forgiveness: Pathways to subjective wellbeing. (Unpublished Dissertation). University of
Santo Tomas.
Roxas, M., David, A., & Caligner, E (2014). Examining the relation of Compassion and Forgiveness among Filipino Counselors. Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(1) 53-61.
Salkind, N.J. (2010). Encyclopedia of research design. DOI: 10.413/978141296088.
Seppala, E. (2013).The compassionate mind. Observer 26(5).
Shapiro, S.L., Astin, J.A., Bishop, S.R., & Cordova, M. (2005). Mindfulness reduction stress for health care-professionals: Results from a randomized
trial. International Journal of Stress Management, 12, 164-176.
Shapiro, S.L., Brown, K.W., & Bigel, G.M (2007). Teaching self-care to caregivers: Effects of mindfulness –based stress reduction on the mental
health of therapists on training. Training and Education in Professional Psychology 1, 105-115.
Stufflebeam, D. L., & Guili, Z. (2017). The cipp evaluation model: how to evaluate for improvement and accountability. New York: The Guilford Press.
Thompson, L. Y., & Synder, C.R. (2003). Measuring forgiveness. In S. J Lopez & C.R. Synder (Eds), Positive psychological assessment: a handbook of
models and measures 301-312. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Thompson, L.Y., Snyder, C.R., Hoffman, L.,Michael , S.T., Rasmussen, H.N., Billings L.S., Heinze., L., Neufeld, J.E., Shorey, H.S., Roberts, J.C., & Roberts, J.C. & Roberts, D.E. (2005). Dispositional forgiveness of self, others and situations. Journal of Personality, 73, 313-359.
Vivino, B. L., Thompson, B., Hill, C., & Ladany, N. (2009). Compassion in psychotherapy: The perspective of therapists nominated as compassionate.
Psychotherapy Research, 19:2, 157-171.
Wade, N.G., Hoyt, W.T., Kidwell, E.M., & Worthington, E.L (2013). Efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions to promote forgiveness: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 82(1), 154-7.
Wang, S. (2005). A conceptual framework for integrating research related to the physiology of compassion and the wisdom of Buddhist teachings. New York: Plenum Press.
Witvliet, C.V.O., Ludwig, T.E., & Vanderlaan, K.L. (2001). Granting forgiveness or habouring grudges: Implications for emotions, physiology and health.
Psychological Science 12, 117-123.
Witvliet, C.V.O & McCullough, M.E (2005). Forgiveness and health: a review and theoretical exploration of emotional pathways. In S.G Posy (Ed) Altruism and Health: Is it good to be good? New York: Oxford
Worthington, E.L., Ed (2005). Handbook of forgiveness. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
Worthington, Jr.E.L (2009). A just forgiveness: responsible healing without excusing injustice. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Worthington, Jr. E.L., Griffin, B.J., & Wade, N.G. (2017). Group intervention to promote self-forgiveness. Handbook of the Psychology of Self-Forgiveness pp.179-192. Springer.
Berry, J.W., & Worthington, E.L., Jr., (2001). Forgiveness, relationship quality, stress while imagining relationship events, and physical and mental health. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48, 447–455.
Butler, M.H., Dahlin, S. K., & Fife, S.T (2002). “Languaging” factors affecting clients' acceptance of forgiveness intervention in marital therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28(3), 285-298.
Diener, E., Scollon, C.N., & Lucas, R.E (2003). The evolving concept of subjective well-being: the multifaceted nature of happiness. Advances in Cell Aging and Gerontology, 15, 187-219.
Freedman, F.D., & Enright, R.D. (1996). Forgiveness as an intervention goal with incest survivors. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(5), 983-992.
Gilbert P. (2007) Psychotherapy and Counselling for Depression (3rd edn). London: Sage. Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2004). A pilot exploration of the use of compassionate images in group of selfcritical people. Memory, 12, 507-516.
Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2005). Focused therapies and compassionate mind training for shame and self-attacking. In P. Gilbert (Ed). Compassion: Conceptualization, research and use in psychotherapy pp. 263-325. NY: Routledge.
Gilbert, P., & Procter, S. (2006). Compassionate Mind Training for people with high shame and selfcriticism: overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 13, 353-379.
Griffin, B.J., Worthington Jr. E.L., Bell, C.M., & Davis, D.E. (2017). Self-directed intervention to promote self-forgiveness. Handbook of the Psychology of Self –Forgiveness pp.207-208: Switzerland: Springer.
Hall, J.H., & Fincham, F.D. (2005). Self-forgiveness: The stepchild of forgiveness research. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 24, 621-637.
Hargrave, T. (2001). Forgiving the devil: Coming to terms with damaged relationships. Phoenix, AZ: Tucker and Theisen.
Hebl, J. H. & Enright, R. D. (1993). Forgiveness as a psychotherapeutic goal with elderly females. Psychotherapy, 30, 658-667.
Hernandez, R. (2006). The construction, validation and standardization of the subjective well-being scale for young adults (Unpublished Thesis). University of
Santo Tomas.
Hutcherson, C., Seppala, E., & Gross, J. (2008). Lovingkindness meditation increases social connectedness. Emotion. 8(5), 720-724. DOI: 10.1037/a0013237.
Jenkins, S.R., & Baird, S. (2002). Secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma: a validational study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 15, 423-432.
Kanter, J. (2007). Compassion fatigue and secondary traumatization a second look. Social Work Journal. 35: 289-293.
Lawler, K.A., Younger, J.W., Piferi, R.L., Billington, E., Jobe, R., Edmondson, K., et al. (2003). A change of heart: cardiovascular correlates of forgiveness in response to interpersonal conflict. Journal of Behavior Medicine, 26, 373-393.
Leary, M. R., Tate, E., Allen, A.B., Adams, C. E., & Hancock J. (2007). Self-compassion and reactions to unpleasant self-relevant events: implications of treating oneself kindly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 887-904.
Lee, D.A. (2009). Compassion focused cognitive therapy for shame-based trauma memories and flashbacks in PTSD. In N. Grey (Ed.) A casebook of cognitive therapy for traumatic stress reactions. Chapter 15. London: Routledge.
Luskin, F. M., Ginzburg, K., & Thoresen, C. E. (2005). The effect of forgiveness training on psychosocial factors in college age adults. Humboldt Journal of Social Relations. Special Issue: Altruism, Intergroup Apology and Forgiveness: Antidote for a Divided World. 29(2) 163-184.
Luskin, F.M (2002). Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness. Harper Collins: San Francisco.
Maltby, J., Day, L., & Barber, L (2005). Forgiveness and mental health variables. Individual Differences 37, 1629-1641.
Mayhew, S., & Gilbert, P., (2008). Compassionate mind training with people who hear malevolent voices: a case science report. Clinical Psychology and
Psychotherapy 15 (2), 113-138.
McCullough, M.E., Rachal, K.C., Sandage, S.J., Worthington, E.L., Jr., Brown, S.W., & Hight, T.L. (1998). Interpersonal forgiving in close relationships. Theoretical elaboration and measurement. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 75-1586-1603.
Moore, P. (2008). Introducing mindfulness to clinical psychologists in training: An experiential course of brief exercises. Journal of Clinical Psychology in
Medical Settings 15, 331-337.
Neff, K. (2011). The power of self-compassion. The path to caring for yourself. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thepower-self-compassion.
Neff, K.D. (2003b). Self-compassion: an alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity 2, 85-102.
Neff, K.D. (2003a). Development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity 2, 223-250.
Neff, K.D., Kirkpatrick, K.L., & Rude, S. (2007). Accepting the human condition: Self-compassion and its links to adaptive psychological functioning. Journal of Personality, 41-139-154.
Neff, K.D., & Pommier, E. (2012). The relationship between self-compassion and other-focused concern among college under graduates community adults and practicing meditators. Self-and Identity.
Neff, K.D., & Vonk, R. (2009). Self-compassion versus global self-esteem: Two different ways of relating to oneself. Journal of Personality 77 (1) 23-50.
Pommier, E (2010). The compassion scale. Dissertation Abstracts International 72(04). Retrieved from: http://hdl.handle.net/2152/ETD-UT-2010-12-2213.
Roxas, M., David, A., Caligner, E (2014). Compassion and forgiveness: Pathways to subjective wellbeing. (Unpublished Dissertation). University of
Santo Tomas.
Roxas, M., David, A., & Caligner, E (2014). Examining the relation of Compassion and Forgiveness among Filipino Counselors. Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(1) 53-61.
Salkind, N.J. (2010). Encyclopedia of research design. DOI: 10.413/978141296088.
Seppala, E. (2013).The compassionate mind. Observer 26(5).
Shapiro, S.L., Astin, J.A., Bishop, S.R., & Cordova, M. (2005). Mindfulness reduction stress for health care-professionals: Results from a randomized
trial. International Journal of Stress Management, 12, 164-176.
Shapiro, S.L., Brown, K.W., & Bigel, G.M (2007). Teaching self-care to caregivers: Effects of mindfulness –based stress reduction on the mental
health of therapists on training. Training and Education in Professional Psychology 1, 105-115.
Stufflebeam, D. L., & Guili, Z. (2017). The cipp evaluation model: how to evaluate for improvement and accountability. New York: The Guilford Press.
Thompson, L. Y., & Synder, C.R. (2003). Measuring forgiveness. In S. J Lopez & C.R. Synder (Eds), Positive psychological assessment: a handbook of
models and measures 301-312. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Thompson, L.Y., Snyder, C.R., Hoffman, L.,Michael , S.T., Rasmussen, H.N., Billings L.S., Heinze., L., Neufeld, J.E., Shorey, H.S., Roberts, J.C., & Roberts, J.C. & Roberts, D.E. (2005). Dispositional forgiveness of self, others and situations. Journal of Personality, 73, 313-359.
Vivino, B. L., Thompson, B., Hill, C., & Ladany, N. (2009). Compassion in psychotherapy: The perspective of therapists nominated as compassionate.
Psychotherapy Research, 19:2, 157-171.
Wade, N.G., Hoyt, W.T., Kidwell, E.M., & Worthington, E.L (2013). Efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions to promote forgiveness: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 82(1), 154-7.
Wang, S. (2005). A conceptual framework for integrating research related to the physiology of compassion and the wisdom of Buddhist teachings. New York: Plenum Press.
Witvliet, C.V.O., Ludwig, T.E., & Vanderlaan, K.L. (2001). Granting forgiveness or habouring grudges: Implications for emotions, physiology and health.
Psychological Science 12, 117-123.
Witvliet, C.V.O & McCullough, M.E (2005). Forgiveness and health: a review and theoretical exploration of emotional pathways. In S.G Posy (Ed) Altruism and Health: Is it good to be good? New York: Oxford
Worthington, E.L., Ed (2005). Handbook of forgiveness. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
Worthington, Jr.E.L (2009). A just forgiveness: responsible healing without excusing injustice. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Worthington, Jr. E.L., Griffin, B.J., & Wade, N.G. (2017). Group intervention to promote self-forgiveness. Handbook of the Psychology of Self-Forgiveness pp.179-192. Springer.
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Dec 21, 2017
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Roxas, M. M., & David, A. P. (2017). Compassion and Forgiveness- Based Intervention Program on Enhancing the Subjective Well-Being of Filipino Counselors: A Quasi-Experimental Study. The Normal Lights, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.56278/tnl.v11i2.539
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Research Article
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