Situational Forgiveness in Cancer Patients
-
Clarissa Maldini Henderina Bisinglasi(1*)
University of Nusa Cendana
-
Rizky Pradita Manafe(2)
University of Nusa Cendana
-
Zerlinda C. A. Sanam(3)
University of Nusa Cendana
-
Marleny P. Panis(4)
University of Nusa Cendana
(*) Corresponding Author
Abstract
Introduction Cancer causes not only physical symptoms but also psychological distress. Situational forgiveness may help patients cope with emotional burdens, yet little is known about this process among Indonesian cancer patients.
Aim This study explored the process and influencing factors of situational forgiveness among cancer patients using a photovoice approach. A qualitative Participatory Action Research design with photovoice was conducted among cancer patients.
Result Thematic analysis identified four themes: causes of suffering, denial, coping strategies (social support and religiosity), and forgiveness through reconstruction, gratitude, spiritual beliefs, and healthy lifestyle changes.
Conclusion Forgiveness developed gradually from denial toward acceptance, supported by family, community, and faith. Situational forgiveness is a dynamic psychological process shaped by emotional, social, spiritual, and cultural factors. Strengthening family, community, and spiritual support may promote psychological well-being among cancer patients.
Downloads
References
Balboni, T. A., VanderWeele, T. J., Doan-Soares, S. D., Long, K. N. G., Ferrell, B. R., Fitchett, G., Koenig, H. G., Bain, P. A., Puchalski, C., & Steinhauser, K. E. (2022). Spirituality in serious illness and health. Jama, 328(2), 184–197. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.11086
Boleková, V., & Chlebcová, V. (2024). Predictors of forgiveness in cancer patients after treatment. Health Psychology Report, 12(3), 219. doi: 10.5114/hpr/177729
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2023). Revisiting mixed methods research designs twenty years later. Handbook of Mixed Methods Research Designs, 1(1), 21–36. https://www.torrossa.com/gs/resourceProxy?an=5730651&publisher=FZ7200#page=56
Enright, R. D., & Fitzgibbons, R. (2015). Forgiveness therapy. Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118970843.ch337
Greer, J. A., Applebaum, A. J., Jacobsen, J. C., Temel, J. S., & Jackson, V. A. (2020). Understanding and addressing the role of coping in palliative care for patients with advanced cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 38(9), 915–925. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.19.00013
Hapsari, S., & Suryanto, S. (2025). Self-acceptance in fatherless early adult women due to parental divorce. Jurnal Psikologi Tabularasa, 20(2). https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5357-3973
Lawani, A. O. (2022). Transitions in Palliative Care: Referral Time and Healthcare Utilization in Advanced Stage Colon, Rectal and Lung Cancer Patients. University of San Diego. https://digital.sandiego.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1934&context=dissertations
Li, K., Wu, S., Zhang, Y., Zhu, B., Qi, Z., Hou, S., & Wang, W. (2025). The Usability and Experience of Artificial Intelligence‐Based Conversational Agents in Health Education for Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review. Journal of Clinical Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.70020
Liang, Y., Li, Y., & Zhou, M. (2024). Effects of positive psychological interventions on psychological outcomes, quality of life, and inflammation biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Gastroenterology Nursing, 47(6), 455–466. DOI: 10.1097/SGA.0000000000000831
Majda, A., Szul, N., Kołodziej, K., Wojcieszek, A., Pucko, Z., & Bakun, K. (2022). Influence of spirituality and religiosity of cancer patients on their quality of life. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 4952. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19094952
Oyedele, O. O., Phillips, C., & Robb, S. L. (2024). Spirituality in adolescents and young adults with cancer: an evolutionary concept analysis. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing, 41(1), 16–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/27527530231190375
Surjoseto, R., & Sofyanty, D. (2023). Pengaruh Penerimaan Diri dan Religiusitas Terhadap Resiliensi Pada Pasien Kanker. Education: Jurnal Sosial Humaniora Dan Pendidikan, 3(2), 54–65. https://doi.org/10.51903/education.v3i2.334
Tong, A., Sainsbury, P., & Craig, J. (2007). Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 19(6), 349–357. https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzm042
Toussaint, L., Shields, G. S., Dorn, G., & Slavich, G. M. (2016). Effects of lifetime stress exposure on mental and physical health in young adulthood: How stress degrades and forgiveness protects health. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(6), 1004–1014. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105314544132
Utami, R., & Yani, S. (2023). Studi Fenomenologi: Eksplorasi Penerimaan Diri Pada Survivor Kanker Payudara Yang Mengalami Metastase. Jurnal Riset Media Keperawatan, 6(2), 125–134. https://doi.org/10.51851/jrmk.v6i2.447
Wang, C., & Burris, M. A. (1997). Photovoice: Concept, methodology, and use for participatory needs assessment. Health Education & Behavior, 24(3), 369–387. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019819702400309
Wang, C., Qiu, X., Yang, X., Mao, J., & Li, Q. (2024). Factors influencing social isolation among Cancer patients: a systematic review. Healthcare, 12(10), 1042. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12101042
Wong, C. L., Li, H., Leung, A. W. K., Chan, C. W. H., & Cheung, Y. T. (2024). Understanding the experience of cancer survivorship among pediatric and adolescent cancer survivors and their parents through camera lenses: a photovoice study. Psycho‐Oncology, 33(9), e9306. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.9306
Copyright (c) 2026 Clarissa Maldini Henderina Bisinglasi, Rizky Pradita Manafe, Zerlinda C. A. Sanam, Marleny P. Panis
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Journal of Health and Behavioral Science (JHBS) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. You are free to copy, transform, or redistribute articles for any lawful purpose in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and JHBS, link to the license, indicate if changes were made, and redistribute any derivative work under the same license. Copyright on articles is held by the authors. By submitting to JHBS, authors grant any third party the right to use their article to the extent provided by the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
