title: Definition and measurement of guilt: Implications for clinical research and practice.
abstract: Research on the relation of guilt to psychopathology is highly inconsistent. Some studies suggest that guilt contributes to psychopathology; others suggest that guilt serves a protective role. This review of 23 theory-based definitions of guilt and 25 measures of guilt suggests that a lack of conceptual clarity may be to blame. Measures of guilt do not correspond well to the definitions from which they derive. Many definitions and measures reflect the intrusion of extraneous constructs that could confound guilt research. Furthermore, definitions and measures of guilt change with developmental level. Nevertheless, two broad conceptualizations of guilt emerge. Central to both is a focus on one's action or inactions involving real or imagined moral transgressions. Distinguishing the two conceptualizations is whether or not guilt is inherently adaptive construct, generating remorse, augmenting a sense of responsibility, and motivating reparation. Recommendations for the definition and measurement of guilt are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University, United States.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tilghman-Osborne
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Julia W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Felton
mesh_terms: D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D003210:Concept Formation; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D012919:Social Behavior
references.citation: J Clin Psychol. 2000 Jan;56(1):51-61
references.pmid: 10661368
references.citation: Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2006 Oct;76(4):564-75
references.pmid: 17209724
references.citation: Child Dev. 1994 Jun;65(3):852-68
references.pmid: 8045172
references.citation: Child Dev. 2002 Mar-Apr;73(2):461-82
references.pmid: 11949903
references.citation: Behav Res Ther. 1989;27(3):213-20
references.pmid: 2730502
references.citation: J Pers Soc Psychol. 1979 Oct;37(10):1798-809
references.pmid: 512837
references.citation: Psychol Rep. 1999 Aug;85(1):271-81
references.pmid: 10575992
references.citation: J Youth Adolesc. 2007 Apr;36(3):291-9
references.pmid: 27519028
references.citation: J Abnorm Psychol. 1992 Aug;101(3):469-78
references.pmid: 1500604
references.citation: Psychol Rep. 2000 Dec;87(3 Pt 2):1039-42
references.pmid: 11272739
references.citation: Psychol Bull. 1955 Jul;52(4):281-302
references.pmid: 13245896
references.citation: J Pers Assess. 1992 Dec;59(3):584-604
references.pmid: 1487811
references.citation: Behav Res Ther. 1996 Sep;34(9):741-54
references.pmid: 8936757
references.citation: Psychiatry Res. 2007 Apr 15;150(3):313-25
references.pmid: 17320971
references.citation: J Clin Psychol. 1997 Jan;53(1):73-89
references.pmid: 9120036
references.citation: Psychol Rev. 1985 Oct;92(4):548-73
references.pmid: 3903815
references.citation: J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2004 Jun;35(2):109-20
references.pmid: 15210373
references.citation: J Pers Soc Psychol. 1991 Oct;61(4):598-607
references.pmid: 1960652
references.citation: J Pers Assess. 1980 Feb;44(1):34-40
references.pmid: 7359305
references.citation: J Consult Psychol. 1964 Dec;28:553-4
references.pmid: 14242317
references.citation: J Pers Soc Psychol. 1987 Jun;52(6):1061-86
references.pmid: 3598857
references.citation: Br J Psychiatry. 1992 Jun;160:781-7
references.pmid: 1617361
references.citation: Adolescence. 1975 Fall;10(39):442-6
references.pmid: 1199850
references.citation: J Exp Child Psychol. 2008 May;100(1):53-76
references.pmid: 18313068
references.citation: J Soc Clin Psychol. 2008;27(8):809-842
references.pmid: 25419043
references.citation: Br J Med Psychol. 1999 Sep;72 ( Pt 3):323-38
references.pmid: 10524718