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Paths Towards Healing: Can Forgiveness Practices Help Survivors of Date Rape Overcome Trauma?

James, Shemetra Lachell

Abstract Details

2018, Psy. D., Antioch University, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology.
There is a lack of research in regard to the impact of forgiveness practices in overcoming psychological trauma of date rape survivors. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the use of forgiveness practices and overcoming the trauma of date rape. This study explored the progress of eight women who were survivors of date rape as they process their own personal trauma in relation to forgiveness practices. Qualitative data were collected by semi-structured and follow-up interviews. Data analysis identified five key themes: 1) Forgiveness means letting go of the hurt and pain; 2) Forgiveness is for the benefit of the survivor and not the perpetrator; 3) Forgiveness relieves a survivor from experiencing anger and other negative emotions; 4) Forgiveness shifts one’s view of self from victim to survivor; and 5) Forgiveness empowered the survivor to show empathy towards others. Descriptions of themes are provided along with participant quotes. The results of the study indicate that forgiveness practices can be included in psychotherapy for the benefit of the date rape survivor. Implications of forgiveness practices in a psychotherapeutic environment for date rape survivors, strengths, limitations, and directions for future research are further discussed in this study. This Dissertation is available in Open Access at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive, http://aura.antioch.edu and OhioLink ETD Center, http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd
Daniel Schwartz, PhD (Committee Chair)
Juliet Rohde-Brown, PhD (Committee Member)
Claudia David, PhD (Committee Member)
123 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • James, S. L. (2018). Paths Towards Healing: Can Forgiveness Practices Help Survivors of Date Rape Overcome Trauma? [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1536242452238725

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • James, Shemetra. Paths Towards Healing: Can Forgiveness Practices Help Survivors of Date Rape Overcome Trauma? 2018. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1536242452238725.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • James, Shemetra. "Paths Towards Healing: Can Forgiveness Practices Help Survivors of Date Rape Overcome Trauma?" Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1536242452238725

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)