On the importance of distinguishing shame from guilt: relations to problematic alcohol and drug use.
Previous research has demonstrated that shame-proneness (the tendency to feel bad about the self) relates to a variety of life problems, whereas guilt-proneness (the tendency to feel bad about a specific behavior) is more likely to be adaptive. The current analyses sought to clarify the relations of shame-proneness and guilt-proneness to substance use problems in three samples with differing levels of alcohol and drug problem severity: college undergraduates (Study 1 N=235, Study 2 N=249) and jail inmates (Study 3 N=332). Across samples, shame-proneness was generally positively correlated with substance use problems, whereas guilt-proneness was inversely related (or unrelated) to substance use problems. Results suggest that shame and guilt should be considered separately in the prevention and treatment of substance misuse.
Dearing
Ronda L
RL
Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, United States. rdearing@ria.buffalo.edu
Stuewig
Jeffrey
J
Tangney
June Price
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012752:Shame; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*