The effect of forgiveness-focused emotion regulation psychoeducation program on adolescents' forgiveness and emotion regulation

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of the Forgiveness-Oriented Emotion Regulation Psychoeducation Program, developed for adolescents, on participants' forgiveness tendencies and emotion regulation skills. The study was conducted using a mixed-method design, benefiting from both quantitative and qualitative data. The study group consisted of 30 students (15 experimental, 15 control) selected from 9th and 10th grade students attending an Anatolian high school in the Yüreğir district of Adana. The experimental group participated in a 10-session Forgiveness-Oriented Emotion Regulation Psychoeducation Program, while no intervention was applied to the control group. Data were collected using the Emotion Regulation Scale for Children and Adolescents and the Forgiveness Scale for Adolescents. In addition, qualitative data were obtained through focus group interviews and in-session forms. Quantitative findings revealed that the program significantly reduced adolescents' suppression strategies, while it did not create a significant change in reappraisal strategies. However, participants showed a significant increase in forgiveness levels, a decrease in tendencies to hold onto anger, and an improvement in empathy skills. No significant change was found in revenge tendencies. Qualitative findings indicated that students found the program useful, instructive, and applicable in daily life. In conclusion, the Forgiveness-Oriented Emotion Regulation Psychoeducation Program was found to contribute to adolescents' development of functional emotion regulation strategies and strengthening of forgiveness skills by increasing their emotional awareness. The program is considered a practical and expandable intervention model, especially in school-based psychosocial support practices. Keywords: Forgiveness, emotion regulation, psychoeducation, adolescence, empathy