Effects of forgiveness education on anger and depression among senior high school students in the Yendi municipality, Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of forgiveness education on anger and depression among students in senior high schools in the Yendi Municipality, Ghana. The theory reviewed was the cognitive behavioural therapy. The quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was made up of students in Yendi Senior High School and Dagbon State Senior High Technical School in the Yendi Municipality. A total of 40 students were involved in the study. Specifically, 20 students each were in the experimental group and the control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire made up of the Level of Anger Scale and Beck‟s Depression Inventory. The data collected were analysed using One-Way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The study revealed that there was a statistically significant effect of forgiveness education on anger among the respondents. Also, there was a statistically significant effect of forgiveness education on depression. On the basis of the findings, it was concluded that the Enright Process Model of Forgiveness effectively equips students to forgive their offenders and thus, reduce their levels of anger and depression. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that school authorities should collaborate with school counsellors to organise forgiveness education treatment sessions for students with anger and depression issues to help them to overcome their situations.