The Sociology of Forgiveness and Mental Health - Research Paper Example

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES The Sociology of Forgiveness and Mental Health Abstract Within the framework of mental health care there has become a need to realize the social aspect of forgiveness. This research looks into the many social theories that discuss individual personality and their mental health, along with the perception an individual has towards forgiveness and understanding in regard to their mental health problems and concerns. The purpose of the research is to show that forgiveness is an essential part of appropriate mental health care for patients. It also emphasizes that without this societal emotion an individual can not progress towards a whole understanding of themselves and their behavior in society. For many years the theology of forgiveness was just that a theological concept, as this research will try and show. However, as the purpose of this research has stated, forgiveness is needed to heal mentally and physically because it is intertwined within many other theories in health care, be it mental health or traditional health care. In conclusion, the research defines that compassion, forgiveness, kindness, and understanding are all societal emotions that fit well into the treatment of mental health care and of which promote a better well defined individual through the treatment process. The Sociology of Forgiveness and Mental Health Before the 1980’s the theology of forgiveness was not very central to the aspect of mental health care but in the past decade many mental health care providers have realized this societal emotion plays a dramatic role in many of the models of mental health. The idea of Spirituality, Physical Well-Being, and Philosophical thought all apparently have a part in the treatment program in mental health care, and the concept of forgiveness is the primary idea in this care paradigm (Scobie & Scobie 1998, p.374). The reason for this is quite logical, because it has been implemented to define sociological behavior as a state of mind affected by various emotions, and one’s actions sometimes require the response of forgiveness in order for a patient or an individual out in society to be able to move past their adversities. If they can not do this then they tend to focus on the adverse elements surrounding them. Their personality, behavior, and physical well being gradually become more attuned to a negative pattern, which then leads to a situation where it becomes harder to provide essential mental health care to help them recover from their disorder. In recent years there has been an abundance of psychotherapeutic information written in regards to this basic theory. One must let go of the bitterness, anger, resentment, hate, or any negative feelings from the past in order to move forward and change their attitude for the future. The perspective of forgiveness has been proven to be affective in gaining ground in focusing patients’ emotions on a more positive aspect of their life rather than dwelling on how they made mistakes or they caused hurt feelings to others, etc. It promotes the more positive experiences of life, and helps many in learning that they can be a good attribute to themselves and to those they care about if they can only gain control over their emotions and their life in general (Scobie & Scobie 1998, p.375). For example, if a person has been adversely affected by someone else’s actions in a offensive manner, be it criminal or in whatever regard, and it has left them with an emotional scar or an inability to mentally cope with those actions then by first forgiving themselves and releasing their own personal interpretation of it somehow being their fault they can progress forward in the appropriate way. From this step they can pass on forgiveness to the individual who was the cause of their adversity. The following quote gives emphasis into the idea of how the societal concept of forgiveness actually works in correcting certain behaviors and attitudes. If we are to forgive our resentment is to be overcome not by denying ourselves the right to that resentment, but by endeavoring to view the wrong doer with compassion, benevolence, and love while recognizing that he has willfully abandoned his right to them (Scobie & Scobie 1998, p. 375). Of course this is given in the case of someone being faced with what is obviously a criminal action from another person who might have committed this act against them due to a mental disorder they have or a simple in balance to their own sense of what is right and wrong. It can evidently be taken from a number of contexts. This also impresses upon the model of spirituality and the act of Christianity among one another in society. So as can be seen, forgiveness is intricately intertwined in many therapeutic regimes to help people cope with their problems for a very good reason. As has been stated, the idea of forgiveness is relative to many different philosophies in mental health care treatment. It goes along well with religion and the spirituality of an individual. In the past it was presumed that religion was something that should have nothing to do with any aspect of mental health care but as of late, (the same as the idea of forgiveness) it has definitely been found to be a positive influence in the well being of many mental health care patients, of course this is on an individual basis but for the most part it brings the idea that a religious theorization into a treatment plan is a very good ideal to have implemented (Seybold & Hill 2001, p.21). Individual spirituality affects a person in many different ways, many of them on a personal level. The physical well being of a person has been found to be directly affected by their religious beliefs and views; it alters their behavior patterns and definitely has an affect on how well they will react to specific treatments in a care regimen, especially in the area of mental health care. When dealing with elderly patients, primary mental health care personnel are always concerned with the physical wellness of the patient and the treatment that is being undertaken to help them. However, there can be adversities faced and some patients might suffer health complications in a mental health care facility. Surprisingly though, the spirituality and religious beliefs are what many mentally ill elderly patients draw on to sustain themselves. It has been found that they even have health improvements through their spiritual strength such as through daily prayer, fasting, shared compassion, and forgiving themselves of their own errors that might have lead to their predicament (Seybold & Hill 2001, p.23). For example, a mentally ill patient might assume their negative behavior is due to an evil influence in their life, brought on by their spiritual belief. In this regard, mental health care professionals need to be sensitive to the nature of the situation and focus on why the patient perceives their illness to be promoted by such a view. By allowing the patient to focus on their beliefs it helps in their recovery, or so many researchers who study this philosophy believe by the studies that have been carried out and the evidence that has been gathered (Seybold & Hill 2001, p.24). Religious variables in mental health care have been shown that those who have a strong religious belief system do well in their treatment program by drawing on their faith, as has been suggested. They pray, have strong social support with other religious followers, companionship, and caring to promote recovery, but more than anything else they have an over all improved psychological functioning through their spirituality. The article by Seybold and Hill (2001) also points out that it seems the spiritual meditation along with spiritual forgiveness brings about a personal perception which gives an individual a better comprehension over their own life circumstances thereby gaining them a better physiological outcome as well. Furthermore, it has been perceived in this decade that those who are in the most need of spiritual understanding are those within mental health care facilities as it seems to be such a positive influence in many of the patients’ lives (Nolan & Crawford 1996, p.289). There has been a lot of research done on this aspect of mental health care however, it has been noted that many practitioners are affected by the notion in many different ways, some showing signs of “cognitive dissonance” to the idea entirely (Nolan & Crawford 1996, p.290). It is because of this that some nursing practices have become more holistic over the years because it has been realized many mental health care patients simply need to find direction in their life to help them better understand what is happening to them. When they have spiritual guidance they are more attuned to their treatment and more willing to work with their doctors towards a positive outcome that would equal recovery for their mental illness. However, as has been stated every patient has their own independent opinion and interpretation about why they are having the problems that they are and they deal with this in their own unique way. Even so, spirituality, forgiveness, and compassion are the three emotional triggers that have the most influence on patients in mental health care facilities and within the practice of mental health care itself (Nolan & Crawford 1996, p.290). In this article by Nolan and Crawford (1996) they point to the teachings of the theorist Lefanu to understand the concept of spirituality in mental health care. By following this theorists beliefs it is easily seen what place religion actually has in mental health. Lefanu felt those who committed deviant acts where suffering from a spiritual illness placed on them by society as a whole. They lacked direction in their life and a specific purpose. Spirituality in mental health care can allow a person to decide what form of purpose they are looking for by their own perception of it, which makes it a highly positive influence. This was a trademark established by Lefanu when the thought of spirituality intertwined with treatment regimens in mental health care facilities. The following quote shows how spirituality is established in the mind from one individual to the next following Lefanu’s theological position. I would always describe myself as a spiritual person, not a religious person, on the grounds that I am uneasy about signing up to a package that comes with any religion. I find meaning and purpose in getting to know the earth, the world around me and all sentient beings in it (Noland & Crawford 1996, p.291). In this regard it can be understood that individual ideas of spirituality aren’t always centered on a religion but rather a personal interpretation beset by their personalities more than anything else. Regardless of what spiritual philosophy that mental health care patients rely on, it remains a positive influence in the treatment process for them. One could claim that the reason the ideas of spirituality, forgiveness, compassionate nursing, and individuality place such a positive influence on the patients themselves is because within these models of mental health care practice there is more of a direct intertwined effect of the nurse with the patient. The patients’ needs are taken into consideration, along with their personal beliefs, their perception about their problem, the issue of how they should deal with forgiving their own adverse behaviors towards themselves and others, as well as many other factors becoming a part of the treatment regimen (Shanley & Jubb & Latter 2003, p.432). Within the traditional model approach it is found that the nurses have indirectly distanced themselves from the patient and there have even been instances where the patients needs have not been met or they have been ignored entirely. Before the new models were introduced into mental health care there was not much room for the patients to think for themselves or to have their voices heard or even to receive the respect that they deserved by simply being a human being. However, these various societal emotional models have helped not just the patients but those who work with them as well (Shanley & Jubb & Latter, p.432). As has been said it is this holistic approach that is benefiting mental health care the most because it is finally identifying with the fact that many patients are dealing with various emotional issues blocking the way for effective mental care treatment to be of benefit to them. So by discussing these other issues and offering to help them in adjusting to the ideas of forgiveness, compassion, and spirituality patients are faring much better and identifying with their situations much more effectively as it was hoped that they would by utilizing these various models. The patient definitely has become more of the treatment process and has a strong say so in what they want and need and how they feel their treatment is progressing. Just as religion is an individual perception in the care program of individual patients, the issue of coming to understand forgiveness is as well. Sometimes it is found that this theory of forgiving in order to heal becomes a pressure in itself, and although it seems to be good philosophy for many mental health care patients inside and outside of a mental health care facility it has to be left up to the individual to decide whether to forgive or not (Safer 1999). It is stated by many therapists that if a patient is feeling pressured to seek forgiveness for themselves or for what they possibly did to someone else it could lead to a regression in their recovery process. Again, it must be realized that every individual is different and therefore every model of treatment in mental health care has to be focused to meet those individual needs. In regards to the idea of spirituality and forgiveness together, therapists state that to not forgive is to disallow a person from being able to move on from the transgressions or disappointments in their life while a religious clergy states that to forgive someone who committed an awful sin against another is to just “recycle evil” (Safer 1999). In this context a therapist has to know how to approach the concept of forgiveness with a patient, depending upon their own circumstances. It is understood that eventually this emotion will come into play to allow the person the ability to look at their problems more clearly, but again pressure will not work, nor will pushing the point of religion on someone in a certain predicament work well either. This of course goes along with the development of the deepening phase through therapy. The patient normally comes to an understanding that they have needed other’s forgiveness from the past to help them move forward into the future. Eventually, through this realization the patient gains a new directive in their life and a different perception on their surrounding circumstances. In finality, there negativity about their situation decreases and they become more positive and self assured about themselves once again, which is the outcome that therapists want to see take place. However there are times when other techniques work best to draw a person away from the adversities of their problems. There is one very specific way that has been found to help patients come to terms with their own adversities and with the idea of forgiveness which is letter writing. Patients write these letters to themselves if they are responsible for their problems or they write them to the offender if it was someone else who contributed to their adversity, either way it serves a specific purpose and takes away any pressure the patient might be feeling in order to go through the forgiveness process (Tubman & Montgomery & Wagner 2001). By choosing this therapeutic route patients don’t feel under pressure to forgive themselves or anyone else, and in that regard it is a very good technique in getting a patient to open up and express what it is that is complicating their thoughts and how they feel they could get help to adjust to their feelings and problems. This is a treatment that has become a centralized idea among many psychiatrists and therapists alike as it can identify the problem behaviors of individuals more fluidly and it can open up the lines of communication so that a better treatment can be identified to help an individual reach a resolution to their specific problem. It is also good in helping move past the adversities of the past that have been having a severe impact on an individuals life, preventing them from being able to function in a normal pattern of life, or that they were use too. Furthermore, this technique promotes positive behavior patterns and also the patient is actively involved in their treatment regimen which has been a goal in mental health care for a good while now. This is especially good in helping in crisis situations such as cases where someone has suffered a traumatic shock and they would otherwise withdraw into themselves and sink deeper into depression. It can be said to be a phase of the forgiveness process that has recently developed in mental health care. It is can be a way of becoming spiritual aware of oneself, and more able to recognize problematic symptoms by the patient themselves (Montgomery & Tubman & Wagner 2001). All in all this treatment along with many others have opened the doors to letting societal emotions play a part in the progression of the treatment process in a more positive way and with more positive outcomes. In conclusion, this research has defined how the spirituality of forgiveness gives direction and insight into a patient’s frame of mind and also allows the patient to come back into a wholesome perspective of their self. There is definitely more of a connection between the patient, therapist, and any nurses that are involved in an in-patient care regimen. By allowing the theory of forgiveness in mental health care there is more of a unity between the mental care givers and the patients and by working together and acknowledging the various human emotions that can block a patient’s progress to recovery it has ultimately lead to a whole new way of practice within the mental health care profession. References Noland, Peter & Crawford, Paul (1996, July). Towards of Rhetoric of Spirituality in Mental Health Care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 26, 289-294. Scobie, E.D., Scobie, G.E.W. (1998, December). Damaging Events: The Perceived Need for Forgiveness. Journal for the Theory of Social Behavior,28 (4): 373-402. Safer, Jeanne. (1999, July). Must You Forgive. Pscyhology Today Magazine, 1. Seybold, Kevin & Hill, Peter. (2001, February). The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Mental and Physical Health. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10 (1):20-24. Shanley, E. & Jubb, M. & Latter, P. (2003, March). Partnership in Coping: An Australian System of Mental Health Nursing. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Care Nursing, 10, 431-444. Tubman, Johnathan & Montgomery, Marilyn & Wagner, Eric (2003). Letter Writing as a Tool to Increase Client Motivation to Change: Application to an In-Patient Crisis Unit. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 23, 1. Read More