Effectiveness of forgiveness training programs in university contexts: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This research offers a systematic review and meta-analysis of forgiveness training programs conducted with university students. A search of international databases (Web of Science, SCOPUS, PUBMED and Dialnet) revealed 316 articles published up to 2023, 20 of these articles were finally included in the systematic review, following the PRISMA protocol. Of these, eleven randomized-controlled trials (n = 11) and one quasi-experimental study (n = 1) were used in the meta-analysis. The results of the analysis show that Forgiveness Interventions (FI) have a positive effect on the capacity to forgive in experimental groups which showed significantly higher scores in empathy, self-esteem and hope, with a reduction in negative symptomologies such as anxiety and depression. The findings also suggest that an important facilitating variable in FI is the length of the interventions. The two most commonly utilized programs were Worthington's REACH program and the Enright Forgiveness Process Model. The intervention program used both face-to-face sessions with trainers and autonomous group work sessions. Given the significant benefits these programs offer in terms of mental health and well-being, it is recommended that FI programs should be offered at universities and colleges as part of a comprehensive and truly competence-based education.