A vergonha e o bem-estar psicológico dos adolescentes: O medo de receber compaixão e os sentimentos de segurança e ligação aos outros como processos mediadores

Ana Laura Mendes; Maria Cristina  Canavarro; Cláudia  Ferreira

doi:10.31211/rpics.2020.6.2.187

Authors

Ana Laura Mendes Centro de Investigação em Neuropsicologia e Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental (CINEICC) da Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9889-5855
Maria Cristina Canavarro Centro de Investigação em Neuropsicologia e Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental (CINEICC) da Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5083-7322
Cláudia Ferreira Centro de Investigação em Neuropsicologia e Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental (CINEICC) da Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31211/rpics.2020.6.2.187

Keywords:

adolescents, external shame, fears of compassion, psychological well-being, social safeness, exploratory study

Abstract

Objectives: The current study aims to test the mediating role of fears of receiving compassion from others and of current feelings of social safeness and connectedness in the association between external shame and the psychological well-being of adolescents. We hypothesize that adolescents with higher levels of external shame may have lower psychological well-being indicators due to increased fear of receiving compassion from others and decreased feelings of social safeness. Methods: A total of 361 Portuguese adolescents of both sexes (43.8% boys; 56.2% girls), aged between 12 and 18 participated in this study by completing self-report measures to evaluate feelings of shame, fears of compassion, current feelings of social safeness, and the psychological well-being of adolescents. Data were analyzed through descriptive and correlational statistics, and the suitability of the model was tested via path analysis. Results: Results seemed to demonstrate that, in both sexes, adolescents’ external shame is associated with psychological well-being. This effect was mediated by increased fear of receiving others' compassion and decreased connection and security feelings in social contexts. Specifically, results indicated that the tested model presented an adequate adjustment to the data, explaining 15.0% of the variance of fears of receiving compassion from others, 37.0% of the variance of current feelings of social safeness, and 46.0% of the variance of the psychological well-being of adolescents. Conclusions: This study contributes to a better understanding of the role that feelings of inferiority, fears of receiving compassion from others, and difficulty establishing safe and pleasurable relationships with others, in the social context, have on the psychological well-being of adolescents of both sexes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Arbuckle, J. L. (2013). Amos (Version 22.0) [Computer Program]. SPSS.

Åslund, C., Nilsson, K. W., Starrin, B., & Sjöberg, R. L. (2007). Shaming experiences and the association between adolescent depression and psychosocial risk factors. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 16, 298–304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0564-1

Barnard, L. K., & Curry, J. F. (2011). Self-compassion: Conceptualizations, correlates, & interventions. Review of General Psychology, 15(4), 289–303. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025754

Bisegger, C., Cloetta, B., Rueden, U., Abel, T., Ravens-Sieberer, & European KIDSCREEN Group. (2005). Health-related quality of life: Gender differences in childhood and adolescence. Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin, 50(5), 281–291. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s00038-005-4094-2

Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West, S. G., & Aiken, L. S. (2003). Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

Cunha, M., Matos, M., Faria, D., & Zagalo, S. (2012). Shame memories and psychopathology in adolescence: The mediator effect of shame. International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy, 12(2), 203–218. https://bit.ly/3f3tqcE

Cunha, M., Xavier, A., Cherpe, S., & Pinto-Gouveia, J. (2017). Assessment of shame in adolescents: ‘The Other As Shamer Scale’. Psicologia: Teoria e Pesquisa, 33, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102.3772e3336

Duarte, C., Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Cunha, M. (2014). Fears of compassion in adolescence: Fears of Compassion Scales’ examination and implications in this population [Poster presentation]. The 3rd International Conference on Compassion Focused Therapy. Birmingham, UK.

Ferreira, C., Moura-Ramos, M., Matos, M., & Galhardo, A. (2020). A new measure to assess external and internal shame: Development, factor structure and psychometric properties of the external and internal shame scale. Current Psychology, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00709-0

Gaspar, T., & Matos, M. G. (2008). Qualidade de vida em crianças e adolescentes: Versão portuguesa dos instrumentos KIDSCREEN-52 [Quality of life in children and adolescents: Portuguese version of the KIDSCREEN-52 instruments]. Aventura Social e Saúde.

Gaspar, T., Ribeiro, J. P., de Matos, M. G., Leal, I., & Ferreira, A. (2012). Health-related quality of life in children and adolescents: subjective well being. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 15(1), 177–186. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_SJOP.2012.v15.n1.37306

Gilbert, P. (1998). What is shame? Some core issues and controversies. Em P. Gilbert & B. Andrews (Eds.), Series in affective science. Shame: Interpersonal behavior, psychopathology, and culture (pp. 3–38). Oxford University Press.

Gilbert, P. (2002). Body shame: A biopsychosocial conceptualization and overview, with treatment implications. Em P. Gilbert & Miles (Eds.), Body shame: Conceptualisation, research and treatment (pp. 3–54). Brunner Routledge.

Gilbert, P. (2005). Compassion and cruelty: A biopsychosocial approach. Em P. Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion: Conceptualisations, research and use in psychotherapy (pp. 9–74). Routledge.

Gilbert, P. (2007). The evolution of shame as a marker for relationship security. Em J. L. Tracy, R. W. Robins, & J. P. Tangney (Eds.), The self-conscious emotions: Theory and research (pp. 283–309). Guilford Press.

Gilbert, P. (2010). The CBT distinctive features series. Compassion focused therapy: Distinctive features. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2009). Shame, self-criticism, and self-compassion in adolescence. Em N. B. Allen & l. B. Sheeber (Eds.), Adolescent emotional development and the emergence of depressive disorders (pp. 195–214). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511551963.011

Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Gibbons, L., Chotai, S., Duarte, J., & Matos, M. (2012). Fears of compassion and happiness in relation to alexithymia, mindfulness, and self-criticism. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 85(4), 374–390. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8341.2011.02046.x

Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Matos, M., & Rivis, A. (2011). Fears of compassion: Development of three self‐report measures. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 84(3), 239–255. https://doi.org/10.1348/147608310X526511

Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Mitra, R., Franks, L., Richter, A., & Rockliff, H. (2008). Feeling safe and content: A specific affect regulation system? Relationship to depression, anxiety, stress, and self-criticism. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 3(3), 182–191. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760801999461

Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Mitra, R., Richter, A., Franks, L., Mills, A., & Bellew, R., & Gale, C. (2009). An exploration of different types of positive affect in students and in patients with bipolar disorder. Clinical Neuropsychiatry: Journal of Treatment Evaluation, 6(4), 135–143. https://bit.ly/3nsNsAe

Gilbert, P., & Procter, S. (2006). Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 13(6), 353–379. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.507

Goetz, J. L., Keltner, D., & Simon-Thomas, E. (2010). Compassion: An evolutionary analysis and empirical review. Psychological Bulletin, 136(3), 351–374. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018807

Goldbeck, L., Schmitz, T. G., Besier, T., Herschbach, P., & Henrich, G. (2007). Life satisfaction decreases during adolescence. Quality of Life Research, 16(6), 969–979. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27641333

Hall, C. W., Row, K. A., Wuensch, K. L., & Godley, K. R. (2013). The role of self-compassion in physical and psychological well-being. The Journal of Psychology, 147(4), 311–323. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2012.693138

Irons, C., & Gilbert, P. (2005). Evolved mechanisms in adolescent anxiety and depression symptoms: The role of the attachment and social rank systems. Journal of Adolescence, 28(3), 325–341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2004.07.004

Jazaieri, H., McGonigal, K., Jinpa, T., Doty, J. R., Gross, J. J., & Goldin, P. R. (2014). A randomized controlled trial of compassion cultivation training: Effects on mindfulness, affect, and emotion regulation. Motivation and Emotion, 38(1), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-013-9368-z

Kaufman, G. (2004). The psychology of shame: Theory and treatment of shame-based syndromes. Springer Publishing Company.

Kelly, A. C., Carter, J. C., Zuroff, D. C., & Borairi, S. (2013). Self-compassion and fear of self-compassion interact to predict response to eating disorders treatment: A preliminary investigation. Psychotherapy Research, 23(3), 252–264. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2012.717310

Kelly, A. C., Zuroff, D. C., Leybman, M. J., & Gilbert, P. (2012). Social safeness received social support, and maladjustment: Testing a tripartite model of affect regulation. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(6), 815–826. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-011-9432-5

Kim, S., Thibodeau, R., & Jorgensen, R. S. (2011). Shame, guilt, and depressive symptoms: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 137(1), 68–96. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021466

Kline, R. B. (2011). Principles and practice of structural equation modelling (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.

Longe, O., Maratos, F. A., Gilbert, P., Evans, G., Volker, F., Rockliff, H., & Rippon, G. (2010). Having a word with yourself: Neural correlates of self-criticism and self-reassurance. NeuroImage, 49(2), 1849–1856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.09.019

Marsh, I. C., Chan, S. W., & MacBeth, A. (2018). Self-compassion and psychological distress in adolescents — A meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 9(4), 1011–1027. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0850-7

Matos, M., Pinto-Gouveia, J., Gilbert, P., Duarte, C., & Figueiredo, C. (2015). The Other As Shamer Scale–2: Development and validation of a short version of a measure of external shame. Personality and Individual Differences, 74, 6–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.09.037

Matos, M., Pinto‐Gouveia, J., & Gilbert, P. (2013). The effect of shame and shame memories on paranoid ideation and social anxiety. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 20(4), 334–349. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1766

Mendes, A. L., Canavarro, C., & Ferreira, C. (2019). The link between the recall of early emotional experiences and well-being in adolescence: The roles of shame and of a self-critical attitude [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade de Coimbra.

Miguel, R. R., Sousa, R., Brazão, N., Rijo, D., Castilho, P., & Gilbert, P. (2019). Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Social Safeness and Pleasure Scale in adolescent samples [Manuscript submitted for in preparation]. Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade de Coimbra.

Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032

Neff, K. D., & McGehee, P. (2010). Self-compassion and psychological resilience among adolescents and young adults. Self and Identity, 9(3), 225–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860902979307

Neff, K. D., Kirkpatrick, K. L., & Rude, S. S. (2007). Self-compassion and adaptive psychological functioning. Journal of Research in Personality, 41(1), 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2006.03.004

Orth, U., Robins, R. W., & Soto, C. J. (2010). Tracking the trajectory of shame, guilt, and pride across the life span. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 99(6), 1061–1071. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021342

Pace, T. W., Negi, L. T., Adame, D. D., Cole, S. P., Sivilli, T. I., Brown, T. D., Issa, M. J., & Raison, C. L. (2009). Effect of compassion meditation on neuroendocrine, innate immune and behavioral responses to psychosocial stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(1), 87-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.08.011

Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Matos, M. (2011). Can shame memories become a key to identity? The centrality of shame memories predicts psychopathology. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 25(2), 281–290. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.1689

Proctor, C. L., Linley, P. A., & Maltby, J. (2009). Youth life satisfaction: A review of the literature. Journal of Happiness Studies, 10(5), 583–630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-008-9110-9

Ravens-Sieberer, U., Gosch, A., Erhart, M., von Rueden, U., Nickel, J., Kurth, B.-M., Duer, W., Fuerth, K., Czemy, L., Auquier, P., Simeoni, M.-C., Robitail, S., Tountas, Y., Dimitrakaki, C., Czimbalmos, A., Aszmann, A., Kilroe, J., Keenaghan, C., Bruil, J., … The KIDSCREEN Group Europe. (2006). The KIDSCREEN questionnaires. Quality of life questionnaires for children and adolescents. Pabst Science Publishers.

Salmela-Aro, K., & Tuominen-Soini, H. (2010). Adolescents’ life satisfaction during the transition to post-comprehensive education: Antecedents and consequences. Journal of Happiness Studies, 11(6), 683–701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-009-9156-3

Tangney, J. P., & Dearing, R. L. (2002). Emotions and social behavior. Shame and guilt. Em D. Levinson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of crime and punishment (Vol. 1, pp. 1492-1494). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412950664.n388

Wolfe, R. N., Lennox, R. D., & Cutler, B. L. (1986). Getting along and getting ahead: Empirical support for a theory of protective and acquisitive self-presentation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50(2), 356–361. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.50.2.356

World Health Organization. (2020). Adolescent health and development. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/adolescent-health-and-development