Intan Sari

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a forgiveness-based intervention in enhancing marital commitment and restoring trust among married individuals experiencing relational distress. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 married participants from Indonesia, randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention group received six structured forgiveness-based therapy sessions over six weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Standardized measures of marital commitment and trust were administered at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests, with SPSS version 27. Findings: Results from repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant time × group interaction effects for marital commitment (F(2, 54) = 17.12, p < .001, η² = .39) and trust (F(2, 54) = 19.68, p < .001, η² = .42). Bonferroni post-hoc analyses indicated that both marital commitment and trust significantly increased from pre-test to post-test (p < .001) and were maintained at the five-month follow-up (p < .001), with no significant decline between post-test and follow-up (p > .05). Conclusion: The therapeutic gains were not only immediate but also sustained over time, supporting the use of structured forgiveness interventions in marital counseling settings. These findings highlight the potential of forgiveness as a valuable tool in relationship repair and emotional healing.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of family cohesion in the relationship between family economic hardship and adolescent risk-taking. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational research design was employed with a sample of 520 adolescents recruited from secondary schools in India, determined through Morgan and Krejcie’s sample size table. Data were collected using standardized self-report instruments: the Adolescent Risk-Taking Questionnaire (ARQ), the Economic Hardship Questionnaire (EHQ), and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES IV). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS-27 and AMOS-21. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to determine associations among variables, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed to test the hypothesized mediation model. Model fit was evaluated using Chi-square, χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA indices. Findings: Results indicated that family economic hardship was positively correlated with adolescent risk-taking (r = .42, p = .001) and negatively correlated with family cohesion (r = −.40, p = .001). Family cohesion was inversely related to adolescent risk-taking (r = −.36, p = .002). The SEM analysis demonstrated adequate model fit (χ²/df = 2.17, GFI = .93, AGFI = .90, CFI = .95, TLI = .94, RMSEA = .048). Direct paths showed that family economic hardship significantly predicted adolescent risk-taking (β = .38, p = .001) and negatively predicted family cohesion (β = −.41, p = .001). Family cohesion negatively predicted adolescent risk-taking (β = −.29, p = .002). The indirect effect of economic hardship on risk-taking via cohesion was significant (β = .12, p = .006), supporting the mediation hypothesis. Conclusion: Findings highlight that family cohesion partially mediates the link between economic hardship and adolescent risk-taking. Strengthening family cohesion may buffer adolescents from the adverse effects of financial strain and serve as a practical target for interventions aimed at reducing risk behaviors.