Neglected children, shame-proneness, and depressive symptoms.
Neglected children may be at increased risk for depressive symptoms. This study examines shame-proneness as an outcome of child neglect and as a potential explanatory variable in the relation between neglect and depressive symptoms. Participants were 111 children (52 with a Child Protective Services [CPS] allegation of neglect) seen at age 7. Neglected children reported more shame-proneness and more depressive symptoms than comparison children. Guilt-proneness, in contrast, was unrelated to neglect and depressive symptoms, indicating specificity for shame-proneness. The potential role of shame as a process variable that can help explain how some neglected children exhibit depressive symptoms is discussed.
Bennett
David S
DS
Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. david.bennett@drexelmed.edu
Sullivan
Margaret Wolan
MW
Lewis
Michael
M
D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D012307:Risk Factors; D012752:Shame; D014481:United States