Effectiveness of Forgiveness Training Program on Self-compassion among Bullying-victim Students

Background and Objective: School bullying is a global problem that has negative consequences for those involved. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of forgiveness training programs on self-compassion among bullying-victim students. Materials and Methods: The quasi-experimental research was conducted based on a pretest-posttest control group design and a one-month follow-up. The samples (n=32) were selected from the high school bullying-victim students studying in Tabriz, Iran, in the academic year of 2019-20 and randomly divided into two groups (n=16 each). The experimental group received ten sessions of forgiveness training intervention. After the training course, the cases were subjected to a posttest, whose scores were analyzed using the covariance method. Research tools included the Bullying Victimization Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, and a forgiveness training package. Results: The results showed that forgiveness training had a positive effect on self-compassion (P<0.01) and could explain 96% of the variance of self-compassion with the power of 1. Conclusion: Based on the findings, forgiveness training could be an acceptable way to reduce the consequences of bullying behaviors through increasing forgiveness and by increasing the attribute of forgiveness, acceptance and empathy, respect and kindness in school.