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Bodily shame as a mediator between abusive experiences and depression
1Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, England.
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Childhood abuse is linked to adult depression through bodily shame, not directly. Bodily shame, a consequence of childhood abuse, independently predicts chronic depression in women.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Women's Health
Background:
- Childhood and adult abuse are risk factors for depression.
- The mediating role of psychological factors like bodily shame requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of bodily shame as a mediator between sexual or physical abuse and depression.
- To examine the long-term effects of childhood versus adult abuse on depression.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 101 women over 8 years.
- Assessment of childhood and adult abuse, bodily shame, bodily dissatisfaction, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms.
Main Results:
- Adult abuse independently predicted depression, while both childhood and adult abuse predicted chronic or recurrent depression.
- Bodily shame was associated with childhood abuse, independent of bodily dissatisfaction or self-esteem.
- Bodily shame, not childhood abuse, independently predicted chronic or recurrent depression after controlling for current depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Bodily shame plays a significant role in the relationship between childhood abuse and chronic depression in women.
- Interventions targeting bodily shame may be beneficial for women with a history of childhood abuse and chronic depression.