2025/06/13 by Mei’e Xin, Huan Qi, Wen Liu +2
Psychology · #Forgiveness and Related Behaviors #Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health #Migration, Health and Trauma
paper · pdf · doi:10.1177/10497315251336718
openalex publication_date 2025/06/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Purpose: Recognizing the positive influence of forgiveness on adolescent development, this study investigated the effectiveness of a forgiveness intervention in reducing peer victimization and enhancing forgiveness levels among left-behind and non-left-behind junior high school students in China. Methods: Based on the Enright process-based model, 72 students (36 left-behind) were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. Over 4 weeks, 70 students completed eight sessions, with peer victimization and forgiveness levels assessed at pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow-up. Results: The forgiveness intervention reduced peer victimization ( p s < .001) and boosted forgiveness ( p s < .001) in both groups but was more effective for non-left-behind students than their left-behind peers ( p = .016). Conclusions: Forgiveness interventions are effective in mitigating peer victimization and fostering forgiveness, particularly for students in supportive environments. Tailored approaches are needed for left-behind students to enhance effectiveness. Future studies should address extended interventions and broader demographic factors.