Adverse childhood experiences and shame- and guilt-proneness: Examining the mediating roles of interpersonal problems in a community sample

Abstract

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked with an increased tendency to experience self-conscious emotions (i.e., shame- and guilt-proneness). Further, interpersonal problems have been associated with ACEs and are implicated in the maintenance of shameand guilt-proneness.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to better understand the interpersonal pathways through which ACEs are associated with shame- and guilt-proneness.

Method: A community sample (N = 249) completed measures of ACEs, interpersonal problems, and shame- and guilt-proneness.

Results: Interpersonal problems mediated the association between ACEs and shame-proneness and ACEs and guilt-proneness. Multiple mediation models revealed that-when controlling for the other types of interpersonal problems-(a) interpersonal sensitivity was the only significant mediator between ACEs and shame-proneness and (b) interpersonal sensitivity and interpersonal aggression mediated the association between ACEs and guiltproneness.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of interpersonal pathways in the association between shame- and guilt-proneness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Keywords: ACEs; Adverse childhood experiences; Guilt; Interpersonal problems; Self-conscious emotions; Shame.