Jon R. Webb, Ph.D.

Research Interests

The focus of Dr. Webb's research is on the association of spirituality with health.  Most of his work to date is in the context of the association of multidimensional forgiveness with addiction and recovery.  Although much of his work is applied, he is also involved in theory and measure development.  Regarding theory development, he is focused on: 1) understanding the mechanisms of association of the relationship between forgiveness and addiction/recovery (e.g., Existangst, or emotionally struggling with affirming one's meaningful existence), 2) multidimensional spirituality (i.e. the RiTE Model of Spirituality; Ritualistic, Theistic, and Existential Spirituality), and 3) the deliberate and explicit incorporation of spirituality into the psychology of temptation.  Regarding measure development, he is focused on multidimensional measures of spirituality, forgiveness, and temptation.  

Areas of Expertise:

Spirituality and Health: Ritualistic, Theistic, and Existential Spirituality; Forgiveness; Temptation; Psychache;
Existangst; Addiction and Recovery; Medical Rehabilitation; Suicidal Behavior;
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Classes Taught

ADRS 3325: Family Dynamics of Addiction and Recovery
ADRS 3329: Addiction, Recovery, and Relationships
ADRS 4325: Treatment of Addictive Disorders
ADRS 6315: Systemic Treatment of Addictive Disorders
ADRS 6342: Advanced Topics in ADRS: Forgiveness, Addiction, and Recovery

Recent Publications & Invited Presentations

Books:

Webb, J. R. (Ed.). (2026). Handbook of spirituality, health, and well-being: A psychological perspective. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003440048

Webb, J. R. (2021). Understanding forgiveness and addiction: Theory, research, and clinical application. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429200274

Peer-Reviewed Scientific Journal Articles:

Boye, C. M., Webb, J. R., Mills, D. J., & Comiskey, G. E. (2025). Examining the impact of forgiveness on suicidality among college student problematic drinkers: The mediating role of depression, hopelessness, and psychache. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2025.2475303

Boye, C. M., Botor, N. J., Tuliao, A. P., & Webb, J. R. (2024). Psychometric evaluation of the psychache scale: A multigroup comparison between White and Hispanic undergraduate student drinkers. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2024.2366965

Skalski-Bednarz, S. B., Toussaint, L. L., & Webb, J. R. (2024). Teaching forgiveness: Exploring psychoeducational and therapeutic strategies to foster well-being. Edukacja [Education], 2(169), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.24131/3724.240201

Webb, J. R., Boye, C. M., Maxton, A. S., Mills, M. E., Murphy, D. P., & Brewer, K. G. (2024). Forgiveness, resentment, well-being, and college student substance use in Southern Appalachia and West Texas. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 42(3), 303–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347324.2024.2322117

Webb, J. R. & Boye, C. M. (2024). Self-forgiveness and self-condemnation in the context of addictive behavior and suicidal behavior. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 15, 21–30. https://doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S396964 [Invited; Open Access]

Brooks, B., Dangel, T. J., Kaniuka, A., Jaszczak, E., Limdi, A., Webb, J. R., & Hirsch, J. K. (2024). Thwarted belongingness and suicide risk in primary care: Perceived burdensomeness and psychache as mediators. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 31, 122–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-023-09960-6

Edited Book Chapters:

Webb, J. R. (in press). Spirituality and training in addictions. In J. M. Currier, J. Fox, & C. Vieten (Eds.), Handbook of training in spiritual and religious competencies in mental health professions (Chapter 17). Oxford University Press.

Toussaint, L., Webb, J. R., Hirsch, J. K., Kohls, N., Offenbaecher, M., Dezutter, J., Nguyen, Q. A., Vallejo, M. A., & Sirois, F. M. (2025). Forgiveness and physical health: A review of theory and evidence. In F. M. Sirois (Ed.), The Palgrave handbook of positive psychology and health (Chapter 11, pp. 245–268). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-89095-6_11

Toussaint, L. Worthington, E. L., Jr., Webb, J. R., Wilson, C., & Williams, D. R. (2023). Forgiveness in human flourishing. In M. Las Heras, M. Grau Grau, & Y. Rofcanin. (Eds.), Human Flourishing: A multidisciplinary perspective on neuroscience, health, organizations and arts (Chapter 8, pp. 117–131). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09786-7_8

Webb, J. R., & Toussaint, L. L. (2020). Forgiveness, well-being, and mental health. In E. L. Worthington, Jr., & N. G. Wade (Eds.), Handbook of forgiveness (2nd Edition; Chapter 18, pp. 188–197). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351123341-18

Toussaint, L. L., Worthington, E. L., Jr., Williams, D. R., & Webb, J. R. (2020). Forgiveness and physical health. In E. L. Worthington, Jr., & N. G. Wade (Eds.), Handbook of forgiveness (2nd Edition; Chapter 17, pp. 178–187). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351123341-17

Webb, J. R. (2018). Forgiveness, addiction, and suicide. In J. K. Hirsch, E. C. Chang, & J. Kelliher Rabon (Eds.), A positive psychological approach to suicide: Theory, research, and prevention (Chapter 3, pp. 37–58). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03225-8_3

Invited Presentations:

Webb, J. R. (2025, October). Spirituality and addiction recovery: Understanding the role of forgiveness and temptation. Oral presentation at the Catholic University of America, Department of Psychology, Health Resources and Service Administration Colloquium Series. Washington, DC [virtual format].

Webb, J. R. (2025, October). Spirituality, forgiveness, addiction, and recovery. Keynote Lecture at the HUMANITAS Global Congress of Flourishing: Humanitas University, Sosnowiec, Poland. (4:25:00-5:04:00; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXHmjGaP9Ag)

Webb, J. R. (2025, March). Spirituality, forgiveness, addictive behavior, and suicidal behavior. Oral presentation at the University of the Southern Caribbean Research Conference (USCRC) 2025: St. Joseph, Trinidad [conference conducted in a hybrid format].

Webb, J. R. (2024, March). Forgiveness, addiction, and recovery. Oral presentation at The Springboard Center: Conference on Addiction, Celebrating 25 Years of Service, Midland, Texas.

Webb, J. R. (2024, March). The association of forgiveness with suicidal behavior among people in Trinidad and Tobago. Oral presentation at the USCRC 2024: St. Joseph, Trinidad [conference conducted in a hybrid format].

Webb, J. R. (2023, June). Understanding forgiveness and addiction. Oral presentation at Friendly Circle Berlin: Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship, Berlin, Germany. (https://youtu.be/KnrSI8uJlTM)

Recent Grant-Funded Projects

Texas Tech University (2025-2026)
- College of Health & Human Sciences
- Health and Wellness Research Seed Grant
- Departments of Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Human Sciences
- Principal Investigator
- Positive Psychology and Suicidal Behavior in the Context of Addictive Behavior

Templeton World Charity Foundation (2022–2025)
- Character Development and Health (TWCF 2021-20709)
- Texas Tech University (and Luther College; Decorah, Iowa)
- Department of Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences
- Project Co-Director/Co-Principal Investigator
- Self-Forgiveness, Mental Health, and Addictive and Suicidal Behaviors in the Caribbean: Addressing Big Questions and Opening New Vistas