Forgiveness in adults: A mixed research in the context of compassion, emotion regulation and psychological flexibility

The main purpose of this study is to determine the relationships between the levels of forgiveness, compassion, emotion regulation and psychological flexibility by using structural equation model and to examine in depth the role of forgiveness and the effect of compassion in adults. The research was structured on explanatory sequential pattern, which is one of the mixed method approaches combining quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. In the first step of the study, Heartland Forgiveness Scale, Compassion Scale, Emotion Regulation Skills Scale, Psychological Flexibility Scale were used to collect the data in the quantitative research. The study group of the research is consisted of 529 adults who live various cities. 56% of the participants were female (297) and 44% (232) were male. Structural equation modeling analysis was used to determine the relationships between forgiveness, compassion, emotion regulation and psychological flexibility in adults. Structural equation modeling analysis has been carried out with AMOS 21 Program. According to the findings obtained from the research, it was concluded that there is a positive linear relationship between adults compassion levels and forgiveness levels; forgiveness levels and emotion regulation levels; forgiveness levels and psychological flexibility levels; compassion levels and emotion regulation levels; compassion levels and psychological flexibility levels; emotion regulation levels and psychological flexibility levels. In the second step of the research, qualitative research was conducted to examine in depth the role of forgiveness and the effect of compassion in adults. The convenience sampling method was used in the collection of data and interviews were conducted with 16 adults who participated in the first step of the research. Adults responses to the semi-structured interview form were analyzed by using content analysis and descriptive analysis method. As a result of the analysis, the perception of forgiveness, the effects of forgiveness in life, the social effects of forgiveness, the perception of compassion, the themes of the relationship between forgiveness and compassion and categories under these themes emerged. All these results have shown that forgiveness affects adult life in many ways and it is related to compassion. The results of the research were discussed and suggestions were given in line with the literature.