Forgiveness as a skill - emotion regulation in the workplace

: enhancing forgiveness skill through expressive writing and reappraisal

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the potential of an emotion regulation-based intervention in fostering forgiveness skill in organizational settings. Drawing upon frameworks of expressive writing and reappraisal techniques, this study goes beyond considering forgiveness as a trait or as a state, to also view it as a skill that can develop over time. Participants’ baseline ability to forgive, encompassing traits such as forgiveness, selfcontrol, and forgiveness self-efficacy, was measured and held against the post-intervention outcome. This study consisted of three writing sessions over five days and a follow-up after 18 days. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: control, forgiveness knowledge + skill training, and forgiveness skill training only. Results indicated a non-linear progression in forgiveness over time. Day 1 indicated the highest forgiveness outcome, which sharply declined on day 2 and somewhat rebounded on day 3. On the follow-up day, the outcomes differed across conditions but did not recover fully to the initial levels. Trait forgivingness and forgiveness self-efficacy played a significant role in the forgiveness outcomes. The study challenges traditional perceptions and analyzes forgiveness as a skill, influenced by traits, emotion regulation strategies and external factors, creating a foundation for future studies in this domain.

Date of Award	9 Feb 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Maria Francisca Saldanha (Supervisor)