Experience of forgiving in Indian marriages: a qualitative inquiry.

Abstract

This research study concentrated on understanding the experience of forgiving in Indian marriages in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. The qualitative research study involved eight participants who were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. With the consent of each participant, every interview was recorded utilising an audio recorder and then later transcribed by the researcher. The ecological systems theory was utilised as a framework for the study. The data that was obtained during the data collection period was evaluated, analysed and organised through thematic analysis. This assisted the researcher to organise data into themes, sub-themes and sub-sub-themes. The five themes that were discovered and discussed are: Understanding forgiveness, the experience of forgiving, the psycho-social influences of forgiving, dominant cultural influence and improvement of forgiveness in Indian marriages. The research study found that the participants experienced forgiving more positively than negatively. Forgiveness allowed for trust to be rebuilt in marriages and paved the way for harmony in both spousal and/or family systems. The research study found that reconciliation in Indian marriages plays a vital role and affects every participant’s family system, spousal system, psychological health and well-being. A strong correlation between forgiveness and personality was drawn indicating that personality is one of the more significant influences on forgiving. More so, social, cultural and theological influences were seen as strong motivators of forgiving in Indian marriages. Participants recommended marital counselling and face-to-face conversations about transgressions created between spouses to assist marital forgiveness in Indian marriages. Through the limitations of the research study discussed in chapter six, it is proposed that further research on the experience of forgiving in Indian marriages should be conducted.