Utilising forgiveness to help sexually abused adolescents break free from guilt and shame: a pastoral Gestalt theory
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Date
2014
Authors
Denton, R. A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State
Abstract
Guilt and shame can be traumatic, self-conscious experiences which have an impact on sexually abused adolescents' physical, psychological, social, emotional, moral and religious development. It can determine the adolescents' behaviour, their views of themselves and their interpersonal relationships. Guilt and shame arouse feelings of helplessness, anger, blame, bitterness and the need for retaliation, while forgiveness can relieve these impulses effectively and be utilised as a source for a recovering experience. Through the use of forgiveness as a coping mechanism, abused adolescents can be guided to handle unresolved emotional experiences (unfinished business) and break free from guilt and shame. A pastoral Gestalt theory can assist abused adolescents with the necessary awareness to focus on their foreground in order to reach self-regulation of their emotional experience.
Description
Keywords
Pastoral counselling, Gestalt theory G, Abuse, Adolescence
Citation
Denton, R. A. (2014). Utilising forgiveness to help sexually abused adolescents break free from guilt and shame: A pastoral Gestalt theory. Acta Theologica, 34(2), 5-28.