Effects of Enright process and reach models on forgiveness and depression among college of education students in the Ashanti Region, Ghana

Abstract

The study explored the effects of Enright process and REACH models on forgiveness and depression among college of education students in the Ashanti Region, Ghana, and to establish the difference in depression of the participants in the experimental and control groups. It was also designed to examine the effects of the Enright process and REACH models on forgiveness and depression on the basis of gender and age among participants in the experimental and control groups. Two research questions and six hypotheses were formulated. The quasi-experimental, pre-test, post-test control group design was used to guide the conduct of the study. The population of the study comprised all second year college of education students in the three selected colleges. The sample was made up of 60 participants who were assigned to three groups; two experimental groups and one control group. Each group had 20 participants (10 males and 10 females). Simple random sampling was used in selecting students who qualified for the study. Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data from the students. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of covariance and two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Interview responses were analysed under specific themes. The results established that both the Enright process and REACH models were effective for enhancing forgiveness and reducing levels of depression among college of education students. Recommendations were that counsellors should endeavour to use the Enright process and REACH models in forgiveness interventions to improve the forgiveness level and reduce depression among students. Counsellors can also use the two models without taking gender and age into consideration since the models are age and gender neutral.