International REACH Forgiveness Intervention: A Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial

Key Points

Question: Can a brief self-guided forgiveness workbook intervention alter forgiveness and depression and anxiety symptoms?

Findings: In this multi-site randomized waitlist-controlled trial among 4,598 participants in Colombia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Africa, and Ukraine, randomization to immediate receipt of the forgiveness workbook resulted in reductions in unforgiveness (-0.52 standardized mean difference), depression symptoms (-0.22), and anxiety symptoms (-0.21) compared to delayed receipt of the workbook.

Meaning: A brief self-directed workbook intervention was effective at promoting forgiveness and reducing depression and anxiety symptoms and could be used as a supplemental therapeutic and preventive approach to improve global mental health.

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