Effectiveness of a forgiveness program for arab israeli adolescents in israel: An empirical trial

This study evaluated the effect of a forgiveness counseling intervention with 146 Arab adolescents in Israel. Students from seven classrooms and schools participated in an experimental intervention study in which half of each class was randomly assigned to a forgiveness-promoting program while the other half remained in class for a social discussion with their homeroom teacher. Results indicated that students in the forgiveness intervention condition reported more increased empathy and greater reductions in endorsement of aggression, revenge, avoidance, and hostility than students in the control condition. Of the group process variables, depth of the session appears to be the best predictor of outcomes. The discussion highlights the theoretical, clinical, and didactical implications.