Personal and Relational Processes of Repentance in Religious Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Families

Keywords

repentance, repentance process, religious families, religious practice

Abstract

Considerable social science research has illuminated religion’s profound and predominantly positive impact on individuals and families. Nevertheless, numerous noteworthy aspects of religion, including repentance, have not been explored in-depth from a social science perspective to understand their psychological and relational processes and implications. Further, the emphasis and importance of repentance across the Abrahamic faiths, combined with calls from social scientists to better understand processes of repentance and seeking divine forgiveness, indicate the benefit of repentance-focused research. Subsequently, we used team-based systematic qualitative coding to conduct secondary analyses of repentance processes in interviews with 127 exemplar US Jewish, Christian, and Muslim families (N = 218). Analyses explored the: (a) motivations and antecedents of repentance, (b) processes of repentance, (c) resources to aid in repentance, and (d) perceived outcomes of repentance. Additionally, some participants described repentance as negative, neutral, or ineffective. The article discusses psychological and relational benefits of repentance in religious families despite some potentially adverse consequences, highlights implications for practitioners and interventions that incorporate repentance, and suggests topics for future research.

Original Publication Citation

Hendricks, J. J., Marks, L. D., Dollahite, D. C., & Herbst, J. (2024). Personal and relational processes of repentance in religious Jewish, Christian, and Muslim families. Review of Religious Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034673X231214274

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2024

Publisher

Review of Religious Research

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS