"Family estrangement is about increasing distance. It's defined as 'the condition of being physically or emotionally distanced from one or more family members, either by choice or at the request or decision of the other.' The distance can be complete, such as going 'no contact' or 'cutting ties,' or it can decrease along a continuum, such as communicating only by text or visiting once a year."
"Forgiveness is 'an emotional process that results in a reduction in negative emotions, thoughts, and behavioral dispositions toward the offender(s).' People often confuse forgiveness with reconciliation and may use the terms interchangeably. They are not the same, as reconciliation is about reconnection, and forgiveness is an emotional process that could bring about reconnection, but not always."
"Someone who has chosen family estrangement might choose to reconcile without forgiving. You can increase your connection with someone while feeling resentful, frightened, or apathetic towards them."
Family estrangement affects 27% of American adults, representing 67 million people. It is defined as physical or emotional distance from family members, ranging from complete no-contact to reduced communication like texting or annual visits. Reconciliation, the opposite of estrangement, involves reconnecting after separation and also exists on a continuum. A critical distinction exists between forgiveness and reconciliation: forgiveness is an emotional process reducing negative feelings toward an offender, while reconciliation is about reconnection. These concepts are often confused but are not interchangeable. Reconciliation can occur without forgiveness, allowing individuals to increase connection while maintaining resentment, fear, or indifference.
Read at Psychology Today
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]