Self-Forgiveness, Shame, and Guilt in Recovery from Drug and Alcohol Problems

Abstract

Background: People with drug and/or alcohol problems often experience feelings of shame and guilt, which have been associated with poorer recovery. Self-forgiveness has the potential to reduce these negative experiences. Methods: The current study tested theorized mediators (acceptance, conciliatory behavior, empathy) of the relationships between shame and guilt with self-forgiveness. A cross-sectional sample of 133 individuals (74.4% male) receiving residential treatment for substance abuse completed self-report measures of shame, guilt, self-forgiveness, and the mediators. Results: Consistent with previous research, guilt had a positive association with self-forgiveness, whereas shame was negatively associated with self-forgiveness. Acceptance mediated the guilt and self-forgiveness relationship and had an indirect effect on the shame and self-forgiveness relationship. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of targeting acceptance when trying to reduce the effects of shame and guilt on self-forgiveness. (61) 2 4221 4708, fax (61) 2 4221

Dispositional self-forgiveness, guilt- and shame-proneness, and the roles of motivational tendencies

“…In a clinical sample, McGaffin et al (2013) found a positive unique link between overall guilt-proneness and self-forgiveness, a finding that is consistent with the theoretical perspectives outlined above. Still, in undergraduate samples, Rangganadhan and Todorov (2010) did not find a unique association, and Strelan (2007) found a small negative link.…”

“…For Sample 2, we replaced the Howell et al measure with a post-transgression repair measure used in past self-forgiveness research, which includes additional conciliatory behaviors (e.g., apology, amends, etc. ), more consistent with self-forgiveness theory (Rangganadhan & Todorov, 2010;McGaffin et al, 2013).…”

“…Empirical research has supported these assertions: overall shame-proneness is negatively linked to self-forgiveness (McGaffin et al, 2013;Rangganadhan & Todorov, 2010;Strelan, 2007). However, research has not yet considered the role of motivational response tendencies in this relationship.…”

“…Both Rangganadhan and Todorov (2010) and McGaffin et al (2013) failed to find support for the mediating role of conciliatory repair tendencies (i.e., apology) between guilt-proneness and selfforgiveness. The present study hopes to overcome some limitations that may have obscured its mediating role.…”

Forgiveness as a positive psychotherapy for addiction and suicide: Theory, research, and practice.

“…Likewise, forgiveness has been observed to be associated with acceptance (McGaffin, Lyons, & Deane, 2013) and mindfulness (Webb, Phillips, et al, 2013).…”