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Addictive Behaviors Sep 2021A dominant view of guilt and shame is that they have opposing action tendencies: guilt- prone people are more likely to avoid or overcome dysfunctional patterns of...
A dominant view of guilt and shame is that they have opposing action tendencies: guilt- prone people are more likely to avoid or overcome dysfunctional patterns of behaviour, making amends for past misdoings, whereas shame-prone people are more likely to persist in dysfunctional patterns of behaviour, avoiding responsibility for past misdoings and/or lashing out in defensive aggression. Some have suggested that addiction treatment should make use of these insights, tailoring therapy according to people's degree of guilt-proneness versus shame-proneness. In this paper, we challenge this dominant view, reviewing empirical findings from others as well as our own to question (1) whether shame and guilt can be so easily disentangled in the experience of people with addiction, and (2) whether shame and guilt have the opposing action tendencies standardly attributed to them. We recommend a shift in theoretical perspective that explains our main finding that both emotions can be either destructive or constructive for recovery, depending on how these emotions are managed. We argue such management depends in turn on a person's quality of self-blame (retributive or 'scaffolding'), impacting upon their attitude towards their own agency as someone with fixed and unchanging dispositions (shame and guilt destructive for recovery) or as someone capable of changing themselves (shame and guilt productive for recovery). With an eye to therapeutic intervention, we then explore how this shift in attitude towards the self can be accomplished. Specifically, we discuss empathy-driven affective and narratively-driven cognitive components of a process that allow individuals to move away from the register of retributive self-blame into a register of scaffolding 'reproach', thereby enabling them to manage their experiences of both shame and guilt in a more generative way.
Topics: Emotions; Empathy; Guilt; Humans; Self Concept; Shame
PubMed: 33957551
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106954 -
European Journal of Social Psychology Dec 2021To date, there has been no systematic examination of cross-cultural differences in group-based shame, guilt, and regret following wrongdoing. Using a community sample (...
To date, there has been no systematic examination of cross-cultural differences in group-based shame, guilt, and regret following wrongdoing. Using a community sample ( = 1358), we examined people's reported experiences of shame, guilt, and regret following transgressions by themselves and by different identity groups (i.e., family, community, country) in Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United States. We assessed whether any variation in this regard can be explained by the relative endorsement of individualistic or collectivistic values at the individual level and at the country level. Our findings suggest that people's reported experience of these emotions mostly depends on the transgression level. We also observe some variation across individuals and countries, which can be partially explained by the endorsement of collectivistic and individualistic values. The results highlight the importance of taking into account individual and cultural values when studying group-based emotions, as well as the identity groups involved in the transgression.
PubMed: 35910663
DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2808 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022Shame and guilt in polysubstance abusers are still understudied despite their significance in substance use disorders (SUD). The goal of the current study is to develop...
OBJECTIVES
Shame and guilt in polysubstance abusers are still understudied despite their significance in substance use disorders (SUD). The goal of the current study is to develop a better understanding of how shame and guilt interact among polysubstance abusers who are receiving residential treatment.
METHODS
The sample of two hundred four males with SUD admitted to five rehabilitation centers from two cities in Pakistan participated in this study. For comparison, 215 age-matched healthy individuals were recruited (control). All participants reported their scores on the state shame and guilt scale (SSGS) and demographic form. A cross-sectional study design was adopted.
RESULTS
The group with SUD reported greater activations on SGSS ( = 0.79, < 0.001) as compared to healthy (control) individuals ( = 0.48, < 0.001). Further, multivariate analysis indicated that people with SUD who were of older age, unemployed, living in a nuclear family system, with a higher level of education, and low income, experienced higher levels of shame and guilt. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that people with SUD in the age group 41-60 years (OR 5.2, 95%CI 2.4-6.8), unemployed (OR 4.4, 95%CI 3.2-4.7), nuclear family system (OR 5.9, 95%CI 4.5-6.4) and low monthly income group (OR 5.4, 95%CI 3.5-5.8) had a significantly high risk of shame and guilt than the control group.
CONCLUSION
Findings of the current study indicate an association between shame and guilt activation and SUD. These results suggest that polysubstance users may benefit from therapeutic interventions to avoid a generalization of shame and guilt toward their substance use. Reducing shame and guilt should be considered a priority in treating adults with multiple SUD.
PubMed: 36339879
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1021876 -
The Lancet. Public Health Jan 2021
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Gambling; Humans; Shame; Suicide; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom; Young Adult
PubMed: 33417846
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(20)30257-7 -
PloS One 2023In the present research we tested the differential effects of anger versus shame as emotional predictors of ingroup disidentification in one rather collectivistic...
In the present research we tested the differential effects of anger versus shame as emotional predictors of ingroup disidentification in one rather collectivistic (Japan) and two rather individualistic societies (Germany, Canada). We tested the idea that individuals cope with socially undesired emotions by disidentifying from their group. Specifically, we predicted that after a group conflict, anger, an undesired emotion in Japan, would elicit disidentification in Japan, whereas shame, an undesired emotion in Canada and Germany, would elicit disidentification in Germany and Canada. Study 1 (N = 378) found that anger, but not shame, was related to disidentification in Japan, whereas shame, but not anger, was related to disidentification in Canada and Germany. Study 2 (N = 171) shows that, after group conflict, Japanese disidentified more when imagining to feel angry, whereas Germans disidentified more when imagining to feel ashamed. Implications for these findings are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Anger; Shame; Emotions; Canada; Germany
PubMed: 37672540
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289918 -
Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia =... Oct 2022
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Job Satisfaction; Morals; Shame; Stress, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35997857
DOI: 10.1007/s12630-022-02308-y -
PloS One 2022The bidirectional associations between negative self-conscious emotions such as shame and guilt and substance use are poorly understood. Longitudinal research is needed... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
The bidirectional associations between negative self-conscious emotions such as shame and guilt and substance use are poorly understood. Longitudinal research is needed to examine the causes, consequences, and moderators of negative self-conscious emotions in people who use substances.
METHODS
Using parallel process latent growth curve modeling, we assessed bidirectional associations between shame and guilt and substance use (i.e., number of days in the past 30 used stimulants, alcohol to intoxication, other substances, or injected drugs) as well as the moderating role of positive emotion. Emotions were assessed using the Differential Emotions Scale. The sample included 110 sexual minority cisgender men with biologically confirmed recent methamphetamine use, enrolled in a randomized controlled trial in San Francisco, CA. Participants self-reported emotions and recent substance use behaviors over six time points across 15 months.
RESULTS
Higher initial levels of shame were associated with slower decreases in stimulant use over time (b = 0.23, p = .041) and guilt was positively associated with stimulant use over time (β = 0.85, p < .0001). Initial levels of guilt and alcohol use were positively related (b = 0.29, p = .040), but over time, they had a negative relationship (β = -0.99, p < .0001). Additionally, higher initial levels of other drug use were associated with slower decreases in shame over time (b = 0.02, p = .041). All results were independent of depression, highlighting the specific role of self-conscious emotions.
CONCLUSIONS
Shame and guilt are barriers to reducing stimulant use, and expanded efforts are needed to mitigate the deleterious effects of these self-conscious emotions in recovery from a stimulant use disorder.
Topics: Emotions; Guilt; Humans; Male; Self Concept; Shame; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 35303025
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265480 -
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Jun 2023Self-harm, suicide, and harm inflicted on others (e.g., victimization) remain key areas of public concern. Past research has explored the link between adverse childhood...
Self-harm, suicide, and harm inflicted on others (e.g., victimization) remain key areas of public concern. Past research has explored the link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and later self-harming and offending behaviors. However, research has not fully explored the interplay between ACEs and modifiable psychological factors, such as shame and self-compassion, that could be targeted to reduce the risk of harm and increase resilience and capacity for post-traumatic growth. The present study explored the relationship between ACEs, harm, shame, and self-compassion. A total of 1,111 adults participated. Approximately 49% were female, 45% male, and 2% nonbinary. Just under a third of the sample were incarcerated. We adopted a cross-sectional survey design and included current and retrospective data. The relationship between the variables was analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation, and structural equation modeling was applied to explore the potential psychological pathways of causation. The model predicted just under 50% of the harm to self (i.e., self-harm) variance and just over a third (35%) of the harm to others (i.e., psychological and physical aggression) variance. ACEs, shame, and self-compassion had varying roles in mediating the relationship between ACEs and harm. The study increases our understanding of modifiable causal pathways between ACEs and later harming behaviors. Additionally, it indicates the importance of understanding the different dimensions of shame when considering ways to reduce the potential long-term negative consequences of ACEs.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Self-Compassion; Cross-Sectional Studies; Shame; Aggression
PubMed: 36541192
DOI: 10.1177/08862605221141866 -
Research on Child and Adolescent... Jul 2021This longitudinal study examined how shame and guilt contribute to the development of reactive and proactive aggression in adolescents with and without hearing loss....
This longitudinal study examined how shame and guilt contribute to the development of reactive and proactive aggression in adolescents with and without hearing loss. Adolescents between 9 and 16 years old (adolescents with hearing loss (n = 80; Mage = 11.91) and without hearing loss (n = 227; Mage = 11.63)) completed self-reports on three occasions with an interval of 9 months. Mixed model analyses revealed that both reactive aggression and proactive aggression decreased with age, whereas shame and guilt peaked in early adolescence. Adolescents with hearing loss reported higher levels of proactive aggression, lower levels of shame and guilt, and showed protracted development for guilt compared to their hearing peers. In both groups, shame contributed to an increase in reactive aggression, whereas guilt contributed to a decrease in proactive aggression. These longitudinal associations highlight the unique role that shame and guilt play in the development of adolescent aggression.
Topics: Adolescent; Aggression; Child; Guilt; Hearing Loss; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Shame
PubMed: 33625641
DOI: 10.1007/s10802-021-00769-1 -
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Jan 2023Pathological narcissism and borderline traits have been consistently associated with interpersonal aggression. Shame has been identified as an important trigger of...
Pathological narcissism and borderline traits have been consistently associated with interpersonal aggression. Shame has been identified as an important trigger of aggressive behaviors in individuals with pathological personality traits, especially for narcissistic vulnerability and borderline traits. This is in line with Kohut's theory on narcissistic rage, that is, aggression, anger, and destruction that act as a protection for a grandiose self. The present study aims to investigate the interrelations between pathological narcissism, borderline traits, shame, and trait aggression, concepts that are parts of the narcissistic rage phenomenon introduced by Kohut, using path models. A total of 399 participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing personality traits (narcissistic grandiosity and vulnerability, and borderline traits), shame, and aggression. Three path models including these variables were tested and compared to one another on fit indices. Results show that shame acts as a mediator between pathological traits (narcissistic vulnerability and borderline traits) and trait aggression, whereas the relationship between narcissistic grandiosity and aggression was direct (i.e., shame was not involved). Results expand the narcissistic rage theory by suggesting that it might represent an internalizing type of aggression that manifests in the context of narcissistic vulnerability and borderline traits, which is not the case for narcissistic grandiosity that exerts a direct effect on trait aggression.
Topics: Humans; Narcissism; Personality Disorders; Aggression; Shame; Anger
PubMed: 35334202
DOI: 10.1177/08862605221084746