A Comparative Study on The Effectiveness of Forgiveness Therapy Among Muslims and Non-Muslims Female

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of forgiveness therapy among Muslim and non-Muslim females and to explore whether religious affiliation influences individuals’ ability to forgive. Forgiveness therapy is considered an important psychological intervention that helps individuals reduce anger, resentment, and emotional distress resulting from traumatic experiences. The sample consisted of eight females (N = 8), including four Muslims and four non-Muslims, aged between 30 and 60 years, selected through convenience sampling from educational institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Participants completed the Interpersonal Relationship Resolution Scale (IRRS) and the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) before and after the intervention. A six-session forgiveness therapy program, incorporating psychological principles and culturally relevant perspectives, was implemented. Paired sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The results indicated no statistically significant differences between pre-test and post-test scores for trauma and interpersonal relationship measures. Furthermore, no significant differences were found between Muslim and non-Muslim participants or across age groups in their ability to forgive. These findings suggest that forgiveness therapy may contribute to emotional coping regardless of religious background. The study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive psychological interventions and recommends further research with larger and more diverse samples to better understand the long-term effects of forgiveness therapy across different religious groups.

Keywords: Forgiveness therapy, trauma recovery, religion, Muslim and non-Muslim, interpersonal relationships, mental health.