Experience of forgiving in Indian marriages: a qualitative inquiry.
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Date
2022
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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.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.