Factors contributing to the experience of shame and shame management: Adverse childhood experiences, peer acceptance, and attachment styles

Neda Sedighimornani*, Katharine Rimes, Bas Verplanken

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Previous research has firmly established that some individuals experience shame more frequently than others. This study employed a cross-sectional design to explore factors that are related to the experience of shame. In this study, 240 participants completed self-reported assessments of parental care and expectations, maternal attitudes toward negative emotions, peer acceptance during childhood, attachment styles, and shame management. In particular, submissive shame management strategies (self-attack and withdrawal) and negative parental experiences were correlated with frequent experience of shame. In addition, a model was developed to depict the relationship between childhood experiences, attachment styles, shame, and shame management. The results suggest that negative parental experiences are contributory factors to the experience of shame, through attachment styles. The model illustrated how shame might be developed and how it might be managed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)129-145
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Social Psychology
Volume161
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology

Keywords

  • attachment style
  • childhood experiences
  • Shame
  • shame management

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