Distinction between shame and guilt and relationship with stress, anxiety and depression

Abstract

In the paper we present a measure assessing and distinguishing between shame-proneness and guilt-proneness, TOSCA-3 (Test of Self-Conscious Affect; Tangney & Dearing, 2002), and describe its theoretical and research background. Shame is defined as a non-functional and deeply concealed emotion, involving feelings of exposure and unworthiness, which focuses on the self and potentially leads to social isolation. In contrast, guilt is described as a less painful and more functional emotion, focusing on behavior and motivating interpersonal reparation. We also present a study with a sample of students on the relationship of shame and guilt to stress, anxiety and depression. The study confirmed the results obtained with other tests, showing that shame-proneness as opposed to guilt-proneness is moderately linked to anxiety and depression. The study also demonstrated the relationship of shame-proneness to stress. In the conclusion, the possibilities of further research on interpersonal implications of shame-proneness and with specific populations are discussed