Date of Conferral

10-15-2026

Date of Award

10-15-2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Julie Lindahl

Abstract

Survivors of violent crime often experience significant psychological, emotional, physical, and relational challenges that influence healing and perspectives on forgiveness or unforgiveness. Although forgiveness has been widely studied, little research has examined victim service providers’ experiences working with survivors who have forgiven or not forgiven offenders. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore these experiences. Guided by Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model of stress and coping, the study involved addressing two research questions examining victim service providers’ experiences with survivors who forgave offenders and those who did not. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven victim service providers from the Mountain West region of the United States, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Six themes emerged concerning impacts of violent crime, survivor-centered support, criminal justice experiences, forgiveness and unforgiveness, justice and empowerment, and emotional experiences of victim service providers. Participants viewed forgiveness as highly individualized and not necessary for healing. They emphasized trauma-informed and survivor-centered care, emotional validation, empowerment, offender accountability, and organizational support. Recommendations include expanding trauma-informed training, strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration, and improving communication throughout the criminal justice process. Findings may contribute to positive social change by informing policies and practices that promote survivor-centered services, reduce retraumatization, and improve outcomes for survivors of violent crime.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

 
COinS