Abstract

Aim: this paper is a report of a concept analysis of forgiveness and its practice within the social work area. Background: worldwide interest in and funding for forgiveness research has brought about a body of knowledge from many disciplines that could be clinically useful to social work. At this time forgiveness interventions are used in social work in other countries, primary in the USA. The social workers in the Scandinavian countries need to focus on this important area of inquiry. Method: forgiveness was explored from a philosophical perspective and from forgiveness interventions from a variety of areas suitable for social work. Concept analysis was used to identify the concept of attributes, antecedents and consequences. A total of twelve works from both disciplines was included in the analysis. Findings: a clear definition of forgiveness emerged from the analysis. Forgiveness has three primary attributes. First, is the forgoing or letting go of a negative response (resentment) that resulted from a hurt. Secondly, is the giving of a positive response to the offender, that is, changing a negative judgement of the offender to a more positive one. Thirdly, forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. Forgiveness is within the victims control but reconciliation needs the cooperation of the offender. Forgiveness is also different from forbearance, pardoning, excusing and forgetting. Forgiveness is suitable as a method in the Scandinavian social work, within a variety of areas; with children, families, alcohol abusers among others. Conclusion: a clear definition and understanding of forgiveness is needed to educate social workers on beginning interventions in this area. Conceptual and theoretical work is needed in social work to promote knowledge development in this area.