Shame, guilt and social anxiety: the role of perspective-taking and alexithymia

Abstract

The relationship between shame-proneness and psychopathology is well established, while most research suggests that guilt-proneness may be unrelated to psychopathology. The present study expands previous research concerning relationships between shame, guilt and social anxiety, and examines relationships of these variables with perspective-taking and alexithymia. Most prior research has focused on internal shame (which includes shame-proneness), but this study also examined external shame, identified as an area requiring further research. Findings were consistent with the literature in associations between shame-proneness and social anxiety (positive) and between guilt-proneness and social anxiety (no association). External shame was positively associated with social anxiety, adding to the limited research suggesting similar psychopathology as shame-proneness. Perspective taking did not play a role in social anxiety. Key new findings were: positive associations between alexithymia and both shame-proneness and external shame; and, indirect effects for both shame-proneness and external shame on social anxiety through alexithymia. The current research can help develop additional intervention strategies for social anxiety, a common problem in society, by identifying and targeting the risk factors of shame and alexithymia that may impinge on successful outcomes.