By Ms. Simone Augustus, Communications Specialist, Office of the President
The ongoing research of the Caribbean Self-forgiveness and Flourishing project conducted in Trinidad and Tobago and funded by Templeton World Charity Foundation is a collaborative study by researchers from the USA, Poland, and the USC. This project delves into the transformative potential of self-forgiveness on mental health and well-being, addressing critical areas such as stress management, substance use, and the interplay of religion and emotional resilience.
Recent Publications
In 2024, the research team published a landmark study in the journal Religions. Titled Pathways to Flourishing: The Roles of Self- and Divine Forgiveness in Mitigating the Adverse Effects of Stress and Substance Use Among Adults in Trinidad and Tobago, the paper examines how both self- and divine forgiveness can buffer the negative impacts of stress and substance use. This collaborative work, authored by Sebastian Binyamin Skalski-Bednarz, Jon R. Webb, Colwick M. Wilson, Loren L. Toussaint, Janusz Surzykiewicz, Sandra D. Reid, David R. Williams, and Everett L. Worthington, Jr., represents a major step forward in understanding how forgiveness contributes to flourishing especially in the Caribbean context. The study can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15091060.
Another manuscript has been accepted for publication in Frontiers in Public Health. Titled Religion and Flourishing Among Afro-Trinidadians: The Influence of Proneness to Guilt, Shame, and Forgiveness by God on the Relationship Between Religious Commitment and Health, this forthcoming paper further investigates the connections between religious practices, emotional responses, and health outcomes within a culturally specific framework.
Presentations at professional conferences include the following:
- Thomas, A. K., Wilson, C. W., & Toussaint, L. (2024). Self-forgiveness and self-condemnation in Trinidad and Tobago presented at the Caribbean Studies Association Conference, St. Lucia.
- Thomas, Amanda, Loren L. Toussaint, and Colwick M. Wilson (2023). A Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) Evaluation of Self-Forgiveness Orientations and Feelings of Self-Condemnation among University Students and Community Residents in Trinidad and Tobago.
International Recognition and Upcoming Presentations
The project’s groundbreaking findings have earned global recognition. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland has awarded a grant to fully support presentations of the research at Humanitas: Global Congress of Flourishing, to be held in October 2025.
Keynote speakers at the event will include:
- Dr. Lorraine L. Toussaint, Professor, Luther College, USA
- Dr. Colwick Wilson, Professor, President of the University of the Southern Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago
- Dr. John R. Webb, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
- Dr. Adriana Mendrick, Professor, Bishop’s University, Canada
These presentations will provide an international platform to showcase the critical intersection of religion, forgiveness, and human flourishing.
Advancing Mental Health and Well-Being
This research underscores the pivotal role self-forgiveness plays in mental health, offering practical pathways for managing stress, guilt, and shame. By exploring the effects of forgiveness within diverse contexts, including religious and cultural frameworks, this study aims to equip individuals and communities with tools to enhance their overall well-being.
For more information and updates on this transformative research, visit discoverforgiveness.org or follow the Center for the Study of Forgiveness and Flourishing at CSFFP on Facebook.
The study’s findings not only advance academic knowledge but also reaffirm USC’s commitment to producing research that impacts lives globally.
