Clinical Research Directory

REACH Forgiveness Group Intervention Adapted for Refugees (REACH-FOR)

The goal of this study was to find out whether REACH-FOR, a group program that helps people work toward forgiving a past offense, is useful for refugees, including people who cannot read or write well. Many refugees have experienced violence and injustice, and holding on to resentment has been linked to poorer mental health. REACH-FOR adapts the REACH Forgiveness program (Recall, Empathize, Altruistic gift, Commit, Hold on) by replacing written exercises with oral, visual, and group activities and by using examples drawn from refugees' own stories. Eighteen adult refugees living in a temporary reception center in Portugal were randomly assigned to take part in REACH-FOR straight away or to join a waiting list and take part one week later. Participants answered questionnaires about unforgiveness, forgiveness, and well-being before and after the program and one month later.