Forgiveness of Older Indian Adults Living in Shelter Homes: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the complexities of forgiveness among older Indian adults residing in shelter homes. Using a qualitative design, 18 older adults (10 males and 8 females) with varied educational levels (6 graduates, 10 with higher secondary education, and 2 with secondary education) were recruited through purposive sampling. They responded to semi-structured interview questions. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using the thematic analysis method. The thematic analysis revealed seven key themes: the multifaceted nature of forgiveness, the role of severe transgressions, negative cognitions and lack of support, guilt and frequent negative emotional experiences, hindering behaviour patterns, fear of losing respect, and strong adherence to desirable social and religious values in guiding forgiveness practices. Serious offences require significant cognitive and emotional effort, with the nature of the relationship with the perpetrator and their intentions playing crucial roles. Emotional wounds from severe transgressions often create complex barriers to forgiveness, exacerbated by negative cognitions and inadequate support. Loneliness and perceived vulnerability further complicate forgiveness, while ingrained maladaptive behavioural patterns and the fear of losing social respect also impact forgiveness decisions. Strong adherence to social norms and religious beliefs emerged as guiding forces in navigating forgiveness. Encouraging emotional support programmes, cognitive reframing, and community engagement may foster forgiveness among institutionalised older adults. The findings offer a significant understanding of forgiveness in this unique context, emphasising the interplay of cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural factors.

Keywords

• Forgiveness
• Transgression
• Older Adults
• Old Age Homes
• Qualitative Research

References

1. Acoba, E. F. (2024). Social support and mental health: The mediating role of perceived stress. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1330720. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330720
2. Ahirwar, G., Tiwari, G. K., & Rai, P. K. (2019). Exploring the nature, attributes and consequences of forgiveness in children: A qualitative study. Psychological Thought, 12(2), 214–231. https://doi.org/10.5964/psyct.v12i2.347
3. Ahmed, S. K. (2024). The pillars of trustworthiness in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 2, 100051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2024.100051
4. Almeida, B., & Cunha, C. (2023). Time, resentment, and forgiveness: Impact on the well-being of older adults. Trends in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-023-00343-2
5. Band-Winterstein, T., Shulyaev, K., & Eisikovits, Z. (2024). Is lifetime abuse forgivable in old age? Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 36(2), 198–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2024.2319785
6. Bradley, N., Dowrick, C., & Lloyd-Williams, M. (2023). Explaining how and why social support groups in hospice day services benefit palliative care patients, for whom, and in what circumstances. Palliative Care and Social Practice, 17, 26323524231214549. https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524231214549
7. Brady, D. L., Saldanha, M. F., & Barclay, L. J. (2023). Conceptualizing forgiveness: A review and path forward. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 44(2), 261–296. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2632
8. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

9. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589–597. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806
10. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis. Qualitative Psychology, 9(1), 3–26. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000196
11. Braun, V., Clarke, V., Hayfield, N., & Terry, G. (2024). Thematic analysis. In P. Brough, advanced research methods for applied psychology (2nd ed., pp. 238–248). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003362715-21
12. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US) (2014). Trauma-informed care in behavioral health services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207201/
13. Chen, H., Chen, Y., Wang, Y., Chen, H., Sue, L., Pan, T., Wang, Y., & He, Y. (2023). A study on mental health service needs among older adults and the policy response in China: Experiences in urban Shanghai. Ageing International, 48(4), 1063–1085. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-022-09516-3
14. Dey, S., Nambiar, D., Lakshmi, J. K., Sheikh, K., & Reddy, K. S. (2012). Health of the elderly in India: Challenges of access and affordability. In Aging in Asia: Findings from new and emerging data initiatives. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK109208/
15. Enright, R. D., & Fitzgibbons, R. P. (2000). Helping clients forgive: An empirical guide for resolving anger and restoring hope. American Psychological Association.
16. Fitness, J. (2006). Betrayal, rejection, revenge, and forgiveness: An interpersonal script approach. In M. R. Leary (Ed.), Interpersonal rejection (1st ed., pp. 72–103). Oxford University PressNew York. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195130157.003.0004
17. Flicker, S., & Bui, L. (2018). Cross-cultural differences in interpersonal and intrapersonal understandings of forgiveness. In M. Karasawa, M. Yuki, K. Ishii, Y. Uchida, K. Sato, & W. Friedlmeier (Eds.), Venture into Cross-Cultural Psychology: Proceedings from the 23rd Congress of the International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology Congress. https://doi.org/10.4087/PRNT5678
18. Guest, E., Costa, B., Williamson, H., Meyrick, J., Halliwell, E., & Harcourt, D. (2019). The effectiveness of interventions aiming to promote positive body image in adults: A systematic review. Body Image, 30, 10–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.04.002
19. Ho, M. Y. (2019). Forgiving in East Asian cultures. In E. L. Worthington & N. G. Wade (Eds.), Handbook of forgiveness (2nd ed., pp. 234–241). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351123341-22
20. Komesuor, J., Nsamenang, S. A., Salifu Yendork, J., Boadu, S. O., Osei‐Tutu, A., & Worthington, E. L. (2023). Forgiveness among Ghanaian children and early adolescents in the context of peer-to-peer dyads. Personal Relationships, 30(3), 825–853. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12484
21. Krause, N., & Hayward, R. D. (2015). Aging, forgiveness, and health. In L. Toussaint, E. Worthington, & D. R. Williams (Eds.), Forgiveness and health (pp. 205–220). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9993-5_14
22. Lestari, Y. S. (2024). The relationship between social support and religious involvement with forgiveness in adolescents living in orphanages. International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding, 11(2), 467–473. http://dx.doi.org/10.18415/ijmmu.v11i2.5427
23. Lichtenfeld, S., Maier, M. A., Buechner, V. L., & Fernández Capo, M. (2019). The influence of decisional and emotional forgiveness on attributions. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1425. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01425 Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.
24. López, J., Serrano, M. I., Giménez, I., & Noriega, C. (2021). Forgiveness interventions for older adults: A Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(9), Article 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10091866
25. Masaryková, M., Záhorcová, L., & Dršťáková, Ž. (2022). Qualitative analysis of psychologists’ views of forgiveness in counseling and therapy. The Qualitative Report. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5377
26. Miller, A. J., Worthington, E. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2008). Gender and forgiveness: A meta–analytic review and research agenda. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 27(8), 843–876. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2008.27.8.843
27. Mitra, S., & Bablani, D. (2019). Narratives about forgiveness across Indian middle aged and older adults. InterViews: An Interdisciplinary Journal in Social Sciences, 6(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.36061/IV.6.1.19.39.63
28. Mróz, J., & Kaleta, K. (2023). Forgive, let go, and stay well! The telationship between forgiveness and physical and mental health in women and men: The mediating role of self-consciousness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(13), 6229. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136229
29. Ong, M. (2023). The transforming power of self-forgiveness in the aftermath of wrongdoing. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 176, 104237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2023.104237
30. Pandey, R., Tiwari, G. K., Pandey, R., Mandal, S. P., Mudgal, S., Parihar, P., Rai, P. K., Tiwari, A. S., & Shukla, M. (2023). The relationship between self-esteem and self-forgiveness: Understanding the mediating role of positive and negative self-compassion. Psychological Thought, 16(2), 230–260. https://doi.org/10.37708/psyct.v16i2.571
31. Pandey, R., Tiwari, G. K., Parihar, P., & Rai, P. K. (2020). The relationship between self-forgiveness and human flourishing: Inferring the underlying psychological mechanisms. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 51(1), 23–36. https://doi.org/10.24425/PPB.2020.132649
32. Prabhakar, C., Mishra, L. K., Sharma, P., Tiwari, G. K., Pandey, R., Shukla, M., Bajpai, A., & Rai, P. K. (2025). Exploring the similarities and differences in the forgiveness of the Indian older adults living in old-age homes and families: A thematic analysis. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 37(1), 73–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2024.2345074
33. Roberts, K., Dowell, A., & Nie, J.-B. (2019). Attempting rigour and replicability in thematic analysis of qualitative research data: A case study of codebook development. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 19(1), 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-019-0707-y
34. Saunders, B., Sim, J., Kingstone, T., Baker, S., Waterfield, J., Bartlam, B., Burroughs, H., & Jinks, C. (2018). Saturation in qualitative research: Exploring its conceptualization and operationalization. Quality & Quantity, 52(4), 1893–1907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-017-0574-8
35. Sells, J. N., & Hargrave, T. D. (2002). Forgiveness: A review of the theoretical and empirical literature. Journal of Family Therapy, 20(1), 21–36. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.00066
36. Singh, K., Raina, M., & Oman, D. (2023). Positive psychology and Hinduism. In E. B. Davis, E. L. Worthington, & S. A. Schnitker (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology, religion, and spirituality (pp. 195–209). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10274-5_13
37. Sirotiak, Z., Thomas, E. B. K., Wade, N. G., & Brellenthin, A. G. (2024). Associations between forgiveness and physical and mental health in the context of long COVID. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 178, 111612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111612
38. Taghikhani, S., Nateghian, A., Karsazi, H., Ghanbari, S., & Seyed Mousavi, P. S. (2024). Relations among memories of parental acceptance-rejection, psychological (mal)adjustment, forgiveness, and vengeance among Iranian adults. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 185(3), 219–232. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221325.2024.2303594
39. Thampi, K., & Mathew, L. M. (2024). Aging in place for community-dwelling older adults in India: A qualitative exploration of prospects and challenges. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 10, 23337214231223636. https://doi.org/10.1177/23337214231223636
40. Tiwari, G. K., Pandey, R., Parihar, P., & Rai, P. K. (2023). Self-forgiveness and human flourishing: Understanding the mediating role of self-esteem. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 26(5), 418–430. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2023.2238642
41. Tiwari, G. K., Pandey, R., Rai, P. K., Shukla, M., Jain, R., Budhwani, P., Choudhary, A., Namdev, L., Kachhwaha, N., & Sharma, D. (2023). Understanding the nature and consequences of transgressions and forgiveness in the workplace in India. Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 17(1), 45–68. https://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.4625
42. Toussaint, L., Lee, J. A., Hyun, M. H., Shields, G. S., & Slavich, G. M. (2023). Forgiveness, rumination, and depression in the United States and Korea: A cross‐cultural mediation study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 79(1), 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23376
43. Toussaint, L., Worthington, E. L., Webb, J. R., Wilson, C., & Williams, D. R. (2023). Forgiveness in human flourishing. In M. Las Heras, M. Grau Grau, & Y. Rofcanin (Eds.), Human Flourishing (pp. 117–131). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09786-7_8
44. Toussaint, L., Worthington, E., & Williams, D. R. (Eds.). (2015). Forgiveness and health: Scientific evidence and theories relating forgiveness to better health. Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9993-5
45. Washington-Nortey, M., Worthington, E. L., & Ahmed, R. (2023). The scientific study of religion/spirituality, forgiveness, and hope. In E. B. Davis, E. L. Worthington, & S. A. Schnitker (Eds.), Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality (pp. 361–377). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10274-5_23
46. Webster, N. J., Ajrouch, K. J., & Antonucci, T. C. (2020). Towards positive aging: Links between forgiveness and health. OBM Geriatrics, 4(2), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.geriatr.2002118 Worthington, E. L. (2006). Forgiveness and reconciliation: Theory and application. Routledge.
47. Zheng, M. X., & Van Dijke, M. (2020). Expressing forgiveness after interpersonal mistreatment: Power and status of forgivers influence transgressors’ relationship restoration efforts. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 41(8), 782–796. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2432