Effect of Forgiveness Therapy on Negative Emotions and Probability of Relapse among Clients with Substance Use Disorders During Rehabilitation. | ||||
Alexandria Scientific Nursing Journal | ||||
Volume 27, Issue 2, June 2025, Page 146-158 PDF (274.96 K) | ||||
Document Type: Research articles | ||||
DOI: 10.21608/asalexu.2025.429958 | ||||
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Authors | ||||
Walaa Elsayed Mohamed Elsayed* 1; Tarek Kamal Molokhia2; Maha Mohamed Elsayed Gaafar3; Mayar Ezzeldeen Elnakeeb4; Heba Mohamed Abdelaal4 | ||||
1Assistant Lecturer Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University | ||||
2Professor Psychiatric Medicine and Neuropsychiatric, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University | ||||
3Professor Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University | ||||
4Assistant Professor Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University | ||||
Abstract | ||||
Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are considered a chronic, relapsing problem that affects a significant proportion of people all over the world. Negative emotions such as anger and depression are common predictors of substance use hindering the recovery process. Therefore, the current approaches in substance use treatment programs attempt to teach patients to manage or express their negative emotions , rather than decreasing these negative emotions. Objective: To assess the effect of forgiveness therapy (FT) on negative emotions and the probability of relapse among clients with substance use disorders during the rehabilitation phase. Settings: The study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of the Arab Center for Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment in Alexandria. Subjects: A convenient sample of 40 outpatients diagnosed with SUDs. The sample was divided into two groups (20 patients each). Tools: The Enright Forgiveness Inventory (EFI-30), the Structure State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (SSTAEI), the Beck Depression Inventory- Second Edition (BDI-II), and The AWARE Questionnaire (Advance WArning of RElapse) were used in this study. Results: There was a significant improvement in the total score of the Enright Forgiveness Inventory between the study and the control groups from the pre-intervention test compared to the immediate posttest with a statistically significant difference (t=0.708, p=0.000). Furthermore, the study group exhibited significantly lower scores at the immediate post-intervention score compared to the pre-intervention test regarding the state and the trait anger (t=7.343, p=0.000, and t=6.490, p=0.000; respectively), depression (t=23.344, p=0.000), and relapse (t= 29.547, P= 0.000). Conclusion: Forgiveness Therapy was found to be effective in reducing anger, depression, and the probability of relapse among clients with SUDs. These improvements can enhance rehabilitation, and resolve past injustices associated with anger and resentment, thus preventing relapse. Recommendations: Psychiatric nurses must consider incorporating FT intervention as a crucial component in the care of clients with SUDs. | ||||
Keywords | ||||
Substance Use Disorders (SUDs); Negative Emotions; Forgiveness Therapy | ||||
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