Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 29, 2025
08:05
A Prediction Error-driven Retrieval Procedure for Destabilizing and Rewriting Maladaptive Reward Memories in Hazardous Drinkers
Published on: January 5, 2018
9.9K
Shame's Associations with Depression and Problem Drinking: An Ecological Momentary Study
Elena Bilevicius1, Tyler Kempe1, Lily Pankratz1
1Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Substance Use & Misuse
|July 13, 2021
Summary
Shame, not guilt, mediates the link between depression and alcohol problems in emerging adults. This finding highlights shame as a key factor for understanding and intervening in comorbid depression and problem drinking.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Depression and problem drinking frequently co-occur in emerging adulthood.
- The specific mechanisms linking these conditions remain unclear.
- Shame has been proposed as a unique factor influencing problematic drinking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether shame, distinct from guilt, mediates the relationship between depression and alcohol use/problems.
- To examine these associations at both within- and between-subjects levels using ecological momentary assessments (EMAs).
Main Methods:
- 184 emerging adults (average age 19.27) participated in a 12-day EMA study.
- Multilevel modeling was employed to analyze the data.
- Shame, guilt, depression, alcohol use, and alcohol problems were assessed.
Main Results:
- Shame mediated the association between depression and alcohol problems at the between-subjects level, after controlling for guilt.
- Guilt was associated with alcohol problems at the daily (within-subjects) level.
- No significant mediation was found for alcohol use, and reverse directionality models showed alcohol problems mediating depression-shame/guilt links.
Conclusions:
- Shame significantly explains the risk for alcohol problems in emerging adults with depression, independent of guilt.
- Findings suggest shame as a crucial target for interventions aimed at comorbid depression and problem drinking.
- Reciprocal relationships between shame, guilt, and alcohol problems necessitate comprehensive assessments in future research.
Related Concept Videos
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
41.9K
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about...
41.9K
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
201
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
201
01:04Social Facilitation
34.3K
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
34.3K
01:30Stress and Mental Health
281
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
281
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
91
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
91
00:57Deindividuation
28.6K
Deindividuation is a form of social influence on an individual’s behavior such that the individual engages in unusual or non-normal behavior while in a group setting. Why? Because in these group settings, the individual no longer sees themselves as an individual anymore, disinhibiting their behavior and personal restraint.
28.6K