Is Forgiveness the Best Solution? Perspectives of Bullying Victims Within Families

Abstract

Forgiveness has been recognized as influential in cases of bullying, but little research has focused on when the perpetrator is a family member. Forgiveness in Indonesian families is crucial because it prioritizes the values of family harmony. In Indonesia's collectivist culture, maintaining family relationships and integrity is considered more important than retaliation. However, the relational dynamics between feelings of hurt and the desire to maintain family values create a dilemma, thereby generating a research gap. This qualitative study aims to explore factors influencing the forgiveness process in cases of family bullying. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 victims of family bullying in Indonesia, aged 18–56. Inductive coding and member checking were used to ensure validity in data analysis. The researcher stopped the interviews when data saturation was reached. Thematic analysis revealed several factors influencing forgiveness: a) breaking the chain of bullying, b) empathy, c) support from family and community, d) maintaining family honor, e) history of kindness, and f) religious considerations. These findings underscore the importance of creating a supportive environment to address bullying within the family and prevent its transmission to future generations.