Abstract:
The study explored the effects of Enright process and REACH models on
forgiveness and depression among college of education students in the Ashanti
Region, Ghana, and to establish the difference in depression of the participants
in the experimental and control groups. It was also designed to examine the
effects of the Enright process and REACH models on forgiveness and
depression on the basis of gender and age among participants in the
experimental and control groups. Two research questions and six hypotheses
were formulated. The quasi-experimental, pre-test, post-test control group
design was used to guide the conduct of the study. The population of the study
comprised all second year college of education students in the three selected
colleges. The sample was made up of 60 participants who were assigned to
three groups; two experimental groups and one control group. Each group had
20 participants (10 males and 10 females). Simple random sampling was used
in selecting students who qualified for the study. Questionnaire and interview
guide were used to collect data from the students. Data were analysed using
one-way analysis of covariance and two-way analysis of covariance
(ANCOVA). Interview responses were analysed under specific themes. The
results established that both the Enright process and REACH models were
effective for enhancing forgiveness and reducing levels of depression among
college of education students. Recommendations were that counsellors should
endeavour to use the Enright process and REACH models in forgiveness
interventions to improve the forgiveness level and reduce depression among
students. Counsellors can also use the two models without taking gender and
age into consideration since the models are age and gender neutral.
