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Shame mediates the relationship between depression and addictive behaviours
Elena Bilevicius1, Alanna Single1, Lindsay A Bristow1
1Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada.
Addictive Behaviors
|March 6, 2018
Summary
Young adults with depression experience more shame, which increases their risk for alcohol and gambling problems. Reducing shame may help prevent addiction in this population.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Depression is a significant risk factor for alcohol and gambling problems in young adults.
- Self-medication theory suggests individuals use substances or behaviors to cope with negative emotions associated with depression.
- Shame, a potent self-directed emotion, is hypothesized to mediate the link between depression and addictive behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate shame as a potential mediator in the relationship between depression and alcohol/gambling problems among young adults.
- To examine the longitudinal association between depression, shame, and the development of alcohol misuse and gambling disorder.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study design was employed with 210 undergraduate students.
- Participants completed self-report measures of depression at baseline (Time 1).
- Shame, alcohol misuse, and gambling problems were assessed one month later (Time 2).
Main Results:
- Elevated depression at Time 1 was associated with higher levels of shame at Time 2.
- Shame at Time 2 significantly predicted increased gambling problems and alcohol problems at Time 2.
- Shame fully explained the pathway from depression to problem drinking and gambling.
Conclusions:
- Shame plays a crucial role as a mechanism linking depression to the development of alcohol and gambling problems in young adults.
- Findings support shame reduction as a viable clinical intervention target for young adults experiencing depression and addictive behaviors.
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