Forgiveness in relationships
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| Tabitha Keon |
What does forgiveness in a romantic relationship mean, and how do people come to terms with emotional pain caused by another person in a relationship?
This is the research topic of psychologist and Macquarie University Doctor of Psychology student Tabitha Keon.
Keon first came to Macquarie University in 1997 successfully completing a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours. She returned in 2003, first enrolling in the Master of Psychology (Counselling) and then moving to the Doctor of Psychology (Counselling) program.
Resolving pain in relationships
"Having studied aspects of jealousy in romantic relationships for my honours research, I was interested in examining what it means for people to forgive perceived betrayals and how they do this when faced with pain in their relationships," explains Keon. "I wanted to concentrate not only on the experience of pain in relationships but how individuals resolve this pain."
Keon hopes to explain the nature and process of forgiveness by understanding what forgiving means in romantic relationships. Conversely, she is also examining not forgiving following emotional hurt in a romantic relationship, as well as the individual differences in forgiving and not forgiving.
Research and initial findings
Three main studies form the basis of Keon's research. The first study included a questionnaire of 248 participants, which she is currently analysing. She then plans to formulate a second questionnaire based on responses to the first. The third component of the study, which was a qualitative analysis, saw Keon conduct interviews to find people's experience of having forgiven a partner in a romantic relationship.
"Findings from the qualitative research suggest that forgiveness in romantic relationships is not clear cut," says Keon. "Rather, it is a dynamic process that occurs over time and includes many dimensions such as coming to understand the transgression from a different perspective than it may have been initially seen in. Also, people's ability to reflect on their own role in the incident seems to facilitate forgiveness to an extent."
Benefits of postgraduate study
"Postgraduate study has allowed me to immerse myself more completely in an area of interest which I believe I would have had difficulty in pursuing to this extent in any other setting," says Keon. "This is underscored by gaining further experience and confidence as a clinician."
"Apart from continuing research based on my strong interest in the domain of couple relationships, as well as its clinical importance, I was also strongly motivated to advance my qualifications beyond a Masters degree," Keon explains. "The Doctor of Psychology not only provides the opportunity to excel in research but also the extension of the clinical application of psychology."
Keon, who currently works as a registered psychologist, hopes to complete her doctorate within the next year and continue to work as a clinician in both public and private settings. Keon's advanced clinical and research skills are set to make her more attractive to future employers.
For further information contact Keon's supervisor Dr Julie Fitness at julie.fitness@mq.edu.au or visit the Department of Psychology's website at www.psy.mq.edu.au