Shame and emotion regulation in inflammatory bowel disease: Effects on psychosocial functioning

Abstract

Although patients with inflammatory bowel disease seem to be prone to high levels of shame, the mechanisms behind the impact of chronic illness-related shame on patients' functioning have not been explored yet. This study aims to address these gaps using a sample of 161 patients with inflammatory bowel disease who completed self-report measures on an online survey. The results from path analyses showed that chronic illnessrelated shame presented direct and indirect effects on psychological health (R 2 = .66) and social relationships (R 2 = .46). The indirect effects were mediated by experiential avoidance and uncommitted living. Possible explanations to these findings and clinical implications are discussed.

The impact of illness‐related shame on psychological health and social relationships: Testing a mediational model in students with chronic illness

“…Additionally, we aimed to examine the role of cognitive and emotional processes (fear of compassion from others and experiential avoidance) as potential mediators of this relationship. Although some studies have demonstrated the negative impact of chronic illness‐related shame on psychological functioning and well‐being (e.g., Trindade et al, , ), the mechanisms that may underlie this link remain understudied.…”

“…In general, high levels of shame are linked with lower quality of life scores and psychopathology (e.g., Kim, Thibodeau, & Jorgensen, ; Tangney & Dearing, ). However, few studies to date have explored the impact of chronic illness‐related shame on patients' well‐being (Trindade, Ferreira, & Pinto‐Gouveia, , ).…”

“…Furthermore, experiential avoidance may interfere with the self‐disclosure of the chronic illness that may then have an impact not only on psychological well‐being but also on the quality of social relationships (e.g., Sprecher & Hendrick, ). In line with these studies, recent data have shown that experiential avoidance is linked with illness‐related shame and low quality of life in samples of inflammatory bowel disease patients (Trindade et al, ).…”

“…However, few studies to date have explored the impact of chronic illness-related shame on patients' well-being (Trindade, Ferreira, & Pinto-Gouveia, 2017a, 2017b.…”

Chronic illness‐related cognitive fusion explains the impact of body dissatisfaction and shame on depression symptoms in breast cancer patients

“…This specific dimension of shame was found to be linked to depression symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease patients (Trindade, Ferreira, & Pinto‐Gouveia, ). This construct has also been suggested as a predictor of psychosocial functioning in a mixed sample of chronic patients (Trindade, Duarte, Ferreira, Coutinho, & Pinto‐Gouveia, ) and in a sample of inflammatory bowel disease patients (Trindade, Ferreira, & Pinto‐Gouveia, ). Nevertheless, there is no existing data on the relationship between shame specifically related to chronic illness and mental health in breast cancer patients.…”