| This study endeavoured to bring to light the experiences, perceptions, and meaning individuals attribute to the forgiveness process, given the limited research that has been completed within the social work field. Critical issues have been identified regarding the use of forgiveness within clinical practice settings that shed light on the viability of integrating forgiveness into those settings.;Fifteen individuals participated in the study. A semi structured interview guide was used during the interview. The majority of the participants were interviewed twice during the course of the research. Data collection and analysis followed the grounded theory process wherein the researcher simultaneously gathered and analyzed the data, using techniques of constant comparative and theoretical sampling. A substantive theory of the processes that shape an individual's understanding and experience of forgiving within significant relationships emerged from the data analysis process. The process model of forgiveness that was developed identifies five phases which individuals engage in as they move in, with, and through the forgiveness process: defining the injustice, accepting, deciding, forgiving, and restoring self.;This grounded theory study explored the process of forgiveness within significant relationships and asked the specific question: What is the process of forgiveness within significant relationships? The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the processes that shape an individual's understanding and experience of forgiving. Specifically, the study sought to examine the process involved in forgiving, with the goal of developing a substantive theory that describes the process. |
