From childhood trauma to hyperarousal in adults: The mediating effect of maladaptive shame coping and insomnia

Social problem-solving in intimate partner violence victims: Exploring the relative contributions of shame and PTSD symptoms

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the contributions of shame and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms to two dimensions of social problem-solving.

METHOD

A sample of 426 women who were seeking mental health assistance following experiences of intimate partner violence completed self-report and clinician measures. Separate path analyses were conducted for problem orientation and problem-solving styles.

RESULTS

In the model examining problem orientation, higher levels of shame were significantly associated with lower levels of positive problem orientation (f2  = 0.32) and higher levels of negative problem orientation (f2  = 0.92), with large effects noted. PTSD symptoms were significantly, positively associated with negative problem orientation (f2  = 0.3, large effect). When examining problem-solving styles, shame showed a significant negative association with rational style (f2  = 0.08, small effect) and significant positive associations with impulsive style (f2  = 0.45, large effect) and avoidant style (f2  = 0.48, large effect). PTSD symptoms did not return significant associations with any of the three problem-solving styles.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate that shame holds notable associations with both dimensions of social problem-solving, relative to PTSD symptoms, and are discussed in light of current models of post-trauma functioning. Implications for clinical care and early intervention efforts are highlighted.

Shame, fear of compassion, self-criticism, and self-reassurance mediate the effect of early life events on emotional disorders among male prisoners: A structural equation modeling analysis

BACKGROUND

Early negative experiences in childhood are potent predictors of criminal behavior in youth and adulthood. This study aimed to identify the mediation effects of Shame, Fear of Compassion, Self-criticism, and Self-reassurance on the effect of Early Life Events on Emotional Disorders.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 male prisoners (Mean age: 33.26 ± 8.41 years) with convenient sampling method, from Ilam, Iran. A set of self-reported instruments were used for data collection. The ultimate model was constructed using structural equation modeling after confirming the construct validity of the measures via confirmatory factor analysis.

RESULTS

Shame, fear of compassion, self-criticism, and self-reassurance significantly mediated the relationship between Early Life Events and emotional disorders. The mediating effect accounted for 77 % of the total effect in the mediating model. According to Pearson's correlation, a positive and significant relationship existed between early life events and self-criticism, shame, fear of compassion and emotional disorders (P < .001). In conclusion, the presented model has an appropriate and acceptable fit, as evidenced by the results of the chi-square test (χ2 = 48.067, p < .001) and other relevant fit indices. However, self-reassurance's mediating role was insignificant (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present results showed that shame, fear of compassion, and self-criticism are important mediators in the relationship between early life events and emotional disorders among male prisoners. So, it is necessary to develop related protocols to increase the mental health of prisoners.