ARTICLE INFO

Article Type

Descriptive & Survey Study

Authors

Beygi   A. (*)
Mohammadifar   M.A. (1)
Najafi   M. (1)
Rezayi   A.M. (1)






(*) Psychology Department, Psychology & Educational Sciences Faculty, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
(1) Psychology Department, Psychology & Educational Sciences Faculty, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

Correspondence

Address: Bayat Street, Kalpoosh Zone, Mayamei, Semnan. Postal Code: 3638141459
Phone: +982332636332
Fax: +982332636332
ali.beygi@yahoo.com

Article History

Received:  November  4, 2015
Accepted:  March 5, 2016
ePublished:  April 3, 2016

BRIEF TEXT


It is obvious that war has destructive and undesirable effects on family member’s performance such as family cohesion, parental satisfaction and quality of relations and the stress caused by war and its results after war have undesirable effects on disabled veterans and their spouses [1, 2].

… [3-9]. Disabled veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress that is caused by war, have different marital satisfaction [10]. These experiences may be affected by numerous factors such as spirituality and forgiveness [11-14]. … [15]. It is known that spouses’ high spirituality is associated with marital commitment and satisfaction [16, 17]. … [18-21] Forgiveness as a variable that can solve the conflicts in marital life and interpersonal relations, affects marital satisfaction and cohesion [22, 23]… [24-34].

The study aimed to investigate spirituality and forgiveness connection with coherence and adaptability.

This study is descriptive and correlational.

The study was done among disabled veterans and their spouses who were under coverage of the, Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs and were living in Mayamei and Shahrood cities in 2014.

Among the intended statistical population, 105 disabled veterans and their spouses were selected as a chain sample in this way that disabled veterans themselves introduced other members.

Data collection tools were spiritual experience scale, forgiveness scale and the scale of cohesion and marital adoptibility. Spiritual Experience Scale: this scale includs 75 items and 6 components , finding the meaning of life, the effect of relationship with God, prosperity and spiritual activity, transcendental mystical experiences, negative spiritual experiences and religious social activities. The psychometric properties of this scale has been reported based on a sample of students. [35]subject should answer the questionnairs based on a rated scale from” very little” to “very much”. Negative experiences spiritual component and some other items of this scale are scoring inversely. reliability coefficient of this test has been reported 0.94 that is a high and significant coefficient.[35]. In this study, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of this scale was 0.75 for the subcomponent of finding the meaning of life; it was 0.81 for the impact of the relationship with God, 0.83 for prosperity and spiritual activity, 0.75 for transcendent spiritual experience, 0.74 for negative experiences and 0.81 for social and religious activities. Forgiveness scale: this questionnaire involves 25 questions. It aims to measure the level of interpersonal forgiveness and its dimensions in different people [36]. It was a Likert response spectrum that the score of some items is inverse. This scale has three dimensions: 1) reconnect and control of retaliation, 2) control of resentment and 3) realistic understanding. In a study by Ehteshamzadeh et al, Subscale reliability in reconnect and control of retaliation was 0.77, and it was 0.66 for control of resentment, 0.55 for realistic understanding and 0.80 for the whole questionnaire [36]. Also in this study, the reliability of the reconnect and control of retaliation subscale was calculated 0.85; it was 0.80 for control of resentment, and 0.76 realistic understanding and 0.77 for the whole questionnaire. Coherence and consistency family scale: This 40-point scale [37] that evaluates the coherence and adaptation of marital and family has two subscales of coherence and adaptation that each of these subscales has two dimensions that evaluate current conditions and ideal from the perspective of participant. In this study, Cronbach's alpha coefficient for adjustment scale was calculated 0.78 and it was 0.84 for coherence. To study the relationship between spirituality and forgiveness components with coherence and marital adoption, Pearson's correlation coefficient was used and to predict coherence and adaptation based on the components of spirituality and forgiveness, step by step regression analysis was used.

51 persons of samples participating in this study were disabled veterans with mean age of 53.32±8.32 years old and 54 persons of their spouses were with the mean age of 50.12±8.01years old. The mean age of the disabled veterans and their spouses totally was 51.45 ±8.11years old with the age range of 41 to 62 years old. Also, 12 persons of disabled veterans and 7 persons of their spouses had Middle School Diploma , 24 disabled veterans and 11 of their spouses had primary school education, 35 persons of disabled veterans and 16 persons of their spouses had Associate's Degree or higher. The highest significant positive correlation was observed between the components of meaningful life (p<0.01, r=0.37), and religious- social activities (p<0.01, r=0.37) with family cohesion; the lowest positive correlation was observed between spiritual practice and family solidarity component (p<0.01, r=0.21). In addition, the religious social activities component (p<0.01, r=0.40) showed the highest, and relationship with God (p<0.05, r=0.21)showed the lowest correlation with family adaptability (Table 1). Components of relationship with God, realistic understanding ,controling and forgiveness totally explained 27% of the variance of family cohesion that the share of the component of the relationship with God was 15%; the share of realistic understnading was 10%; and the share of controling and forgiveness was 2%. About the adaptability to family, also, social and religious activities, realistic understanding ,controling and forgivness could explaine in order:10%,4%,4% and as a whole 18% for family cohesion variance (p<0.05).

Disabled veterans can adopt effective ways of coping in times of stress with strengthen the spiritual dimensions of their life and gain the effective social support from their spouses [38]. People, who have a general desire for forgiving others, are able to regulate their anger and try to make well-balanced and harmonious relations with others [13]. … [39].

The results of this study could have therapeutic implications of therapists who are facing disabled veterans who suffer from mental disorders and this has affected the quality of their family relationships.

Although it has been tried to respect cultural diversity, it is necessary in order to high generalization, study this issue in different cultures. In addition, in the study, spirituality and forgiveness were considered, as two-separated components.it is necessary in other researches to consider about the role of spirituality in prediction of forgiveness. The share of other variables that may lead to coherence and family adaptability), would be examined. The other thing is that this study covered disabled veterans who were not suffering from serious mental or physical problems. It is necessary for future studies to consider firstly disabled veterans who suffer from physical disabilities or serious psychological problems that is caused by the war, and secondly, other aspects of veterans ‘life that could affect the quality of marital and family relations.

Promoting spirituality and forgiveness of disabled veterans and their spouses will strengthen the coherence and adaptability in their family.

All disabled veterans and dear colleagues who participated in this study are appreciated.

Non-declared

Non-declared

Non-declared

TABLES and CHARTS

Show attach file


CITIATION LINKS

[1]Gavlovski T, Lyons JA. Psychological sequellae of combat violence: A review of the impact of PTSD on the veteran’s family and possible interventions. Aggress Violent Behav. 2004;9(5):477-501.
[2]Ray SL, Vanstone M. The impact of PTSD on veterans family relationships: An interperative phenomenological inquiry. Int J Nurs Stud. 2009;46(6):838-47.
[3]White RF, Steele L, O'Callaghan JP, Sullivan K, Binns JH, Golomb BA, et al. Recent research on Gulf War illness and other health problems in veterans of the 1991 Gulf War: Effects of toxicant exposures during deployment. Cortex. 2016;74:449-75.
[4]Binns JH, Bloom FE, Bunker JA, Crawford F, Golomb BA, Graves JC, et al. Gulf War illness and the health of Gulf War veterans: Research update and recommendations, 2009-2013. Boston, MA: U.S. Government Printing Office; 2014.
[5]King DW, Taft C, King L, Hammond C, Stone ER. Directionality of the association between social support and posttraumatic stress disorder: A longitudinal investigation. J Appl Soc Psychol. 2006:36(12):2980-92.
[6]Olson D. FACES IV and the Circumplex Model: Validation study. J Marital Fam Ther. 2011:37(1):64-80.
[7]Olson DH, Gorall DM. Circumplex model of marital and family systems. 3rd edition. New York: Guilford Press; 2003. pp. 514-547.
[8]Rada C. Family adaptability and cohesiveness evaluation scale III in Romania. Procedia Soc Behav Sci. 2014;127:31-5.
[9]Kamari AA, Najafi M, Rahimian Booger E, Sohrabi F, Jafari N. The relation between family function and veterans’ general health. Iran J War Public Health. 2012;4(3):26-33. [Persian]
[10]Mohammadyfar MA, Najafi M. Comparison of personality trait and marital satisfaction in veterans with- and without post- traumatic stress disorder. Iran J War Public Health. 2014;6(3):101-7. [Persian]
[11]Escher D. How does religion promote forgiveness? Linking beliefs, orientations, and practices. J Sci Stud Relig. 2013;52(1):100-19.
[12]Powers C, Nam RK, Rowatt WC, Hill PC. Associations between humility, spiritual transcendence, and forgiveness. Ree Soc Sci Stud Relig. 2007;18:75-94.
[13]Krause N. Assessing the relationships among race, religion, humility and self-forgiveness: A longitudinal investigation. Adv Life Course Re. 2015;24:66-74.
[14]Tsang G, Stanford M. Forgiveness for intimate partner violence: The influence of victim and offender variables. Personal Individ Differ. 2007;42(4):653-64.
[15]Lambert NM, Dollahite DC. The threefold cord: Marital commitment in religious couples. J Fam Issues. 2008;29(5):592-614.
[16]Mahoney A. Religion in families 1999 to 2009: A relational spirituality framework. J Marriage Fam. 2010;72(4):805-27.
[17]Agate ST, Zabriskie RB, Eggett DL. Praying, playing and successful families. Marriage Fam Rev. 2007;42(2):51-75.
[18]Corkery S, Curran M, Parkman A. Spirituality, sacrifice and relationship quality for expectant cohabitors. Marriage Fam Rev. 2011;47(6):345-62.
[19]Bolton EE, Litz BT, Glenn DM, Orsillo S, Roember L. The impact of homecoming reception on the adaptation of peacekeepers following deployment. Mil Psychol. 2002;14(3):241-51.
[20]Adams GS, Zou X, Inesi ME, Pilluta MM. Forgiveness is not always divine: When expressing forgiveness makes others avoid you. Organ Behav Hum Decis Process. 2015;126:130-41.
[21]Tse W, Yip T. Relationship among dispositional forgiveness of others interpersonal adjustment and psychological well being: Implication for interpersonal theory of depression. Personal Individ Differ. 2009;46(3):365-8.
[22]Fincham FD, Beach SR, Davila J. Forgiveness and conflict resolution in marriage. J Fam Psychol. 2004;18(1):72-81.
[23]Orathinkal J, Vansteenwegen A. The effect of forgiveness on marital satisfaction in relation to marital stability. Contemp Fam Ther. 2006;28(2):251-60.
[24]Lundberg CD. Unifying truths of the world's religions: Practical principles for living and loving in peace. New Fairfield, CT: Heavenlight Press; 2010.
[25]McConnell JM, Dixon DN. Perceived forgiveness by God and self-forgiveness. J Psychol Christ. 2012;31:31-9.
[26]Lawler-Row KA, Hyatt-Edwards L, Wuensch KL, Karremans JC. Forgiveness and health: The role of attachment. Personal Relatsh. 2011;18(2):170-83.
[27]McCullough ME. Beyond revenge: The evolution of the forgiveness instinct. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass;2008.
[28]Karaırmak Ö, Güloğlu B. Forgiveness and PTSD among veterans: The mediating role of anger and negative affect. Psychiatry Res. 2014;219(3):536-42.
[29]Chapman AR. Truth commissions and intergroup forgiveness: The case of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, peace and conflict. J Peace Psychol. 2007;13(1):51-69.
[30]McCullough ME. Forgiveness as human strength: Theory, measurement, andlinks to well-being. J Soc Clin Psychol. 2000;19(1):43-55.
[31]Hirsch JK, Webb JR, Jeglic EL. Forgiveness, depression, and suicidal behavior among a diverse sample of college students. J Clin Psychol. 2011;67(9):896-906.
[32]Wivliet CV, Phipps KA, Feldman ME, Beckham JC. Posttraumatic mental and physical health correlates of forgiveness and religious coping in military veterans. J Trauma Stress. 2004;17(3):269-73.
[33]Exline JJ, Baumeister RF. Expressing forgiveness and repentance. Benefits and barriers. McCullough ME, Pargament KI, Thoresen CE, Editors. New York: Guilford Press; 2000. pp. 133-55.
[34]Exline JJ, Worthington EL Jr, Hill P, McCullough ME. Forgiveness and justice: A research agenda for social and personality psychology. Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2003;7(4):337-48.
[35]Ghobari Banab B, Lavasani M, Mohammadi M. The construct of spirituality experience scale. J Psychol. 2005;9(3):261-78. [Persian]
[36]Ehteshamzadeh P, Ahadi H, Enayati MS, Heidari A. Construct and validation of a scale for measuring interpersonal forgiveness. Iran J Psychiatry Clin Psychol. 2011;16(4):443-55.
[37]Olson DH. Commentary: Three-dimensional circumplex model and revised scoring of FACES III. Fam Process. 1991;30(1):74-9.
[38]Behnammoghadam A, Hashemi T, Birami M, Yaryan S. The relationship of between marital satisfaction with religious beilefs, emotional intelligence and coping strategies in veterans and physical handicaps. Iran J War Public Health. 2014:6(4):131-6. [Persian]
[39]Mattis JS, Hammond WP, Grayman N, Bonacci M, Brennan W, Cowie S, et al. The social production of altruism: Motivations for caring action in a low-income urban community. Am J Community Psychol. 2009;43(1-2):71-84.