The effect of forgiveness psycoeducation applied to the patients relatives in the end of life on forgiveness, death anxiety and care burdens

Aim: This research was conducted to examine the effect of forgiveness psychoeducation applied to the patients relatives in the end of life on forgiveness, death anxiety and care burdens of their relatives. Materials and Methods: In the study, pre test, post test, one month and three month follow up randomized controlled experimental method were used. The research was carried out in Bergama Necla-Mithat Öztüre State Hospital affiliated to İzmir City Center, between June 2021 and June 2022 with the patients relatives in the end of life. The patients relatives of 56 (Experimental: 28 and Control: 28) determined by the randomization method were included in the study sample. Data were collected using Personal Information Form, Heartland Forgiveness Scale, Thorson Powell Death Anxiety Scale, and Caregiver Burden Scale. In the analysis of the data, in addition to descriptive statistics, Chi-Square Test, Fisher Chi-Square Test, independent sample t test and two-way analysis of variance in repeated measurements test were used. Findings: In the study, it was found that post test, first month and third month mean forgiveness scores of the patients relatives in the experimental group were statistically significantly higher than the patients relatives in the control group (p=0.000). It was found that the post test, first month and third month mean death anxiety and caregiving burden scores of the patients relatives in the experimental group were statistically significantly lower than the patients relatives in the control group (p=0.000). Conclusion: In this study, it was concluded that the forgiveness psychoeducation given to the patients relatives in the end of life increased the tendency of forgiveness of the patients relatives and reduced their death anxiety and care burdens. It has been recommended to plan group or individual forgiveness psychoeducation at certain intervals in palliative care units for the patients relatives in the end of life.