Seeking Forgiveness: Motivations and Benefits

Abstract

The topic of Seeking forgiveness being sparsely explored, this article reports the results of a qualitative study designed to explore the motivations that drive the offender to seek forgiveness and if there are any benefits of the act of seeking forgiveness for the offender. Individuals who have gone through a seeking forgiveness experience served as the sample and the data was methodologically collected by interviewing them in order to gain insight into their perspectives regarding the questions in hand. Thematic analysis of the data suggested that the motivations behind seeking forgiveness for the offender were preserving the relationship, communicating with the offended, offloading negative emotions, making amends, moving forward and peace for self. Data analysis displayed the benefits of seeking forgiveness for the offender; it fostered relationships, encouraged self-insight, reduced anxiety, facilitated self-growth, cultivated positive emotions and boosted the self-image of the offender. Seeking forgiveness takes away negative emotions and contributes to the offender’s emotional well-being.