Forgiveness Helps Reduce Loneliness in Women in Prison
Author Information
Author(s): Anya Thompson, Alex Bishop, Kevin Randall
Primary Institution: Oklahoma State University
Hypothesis
Can forgiveness serve as a resource to counter feelings of loneliness among women aging in correctional custody?
Conclusion
Forgiveness is linked to reduced feelings of loneliness in women in correctional custody, particularly through the lens of childhood trauma and religious doubt.
Supporting Evidence
- The model explained 22% of the variance in loneliness.
- Religious doubt was linked to adverse childhood experiences.
- Forgiveness assessments showed significant relationships with religious doubt.
Takeaway
This study found that forgiving others and oneself can help women in prison feel less lonely, especially if they have faced tough childhood experiences.
Methodology
The study used a conceptual path analytic model to analyze cross-sectional data from women in custody, examining the relationships between adverse childhood experiences, religious doubt, and forgiveness on loneliness.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-reported measures of childhood experiences and forgiveness.
Limitations
The study is limited to women aged 40 and older in correctional custody, which may not generalize to other populations.
Participant Demographics
Women in custody, ages 40 and older, with a mean age of 49.06.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p =.045
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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