RT Article
T1 Shame and Self-Compassion Connect Childhood Experience of Adversity With Harm Inflicted on the Self and Others
JF Journal of interpersonal violence
VO 38
IS 11/12
SP 7193
OP 7214
A1 Garbutt, Kerri
A1 Rennoldson, Mike
A1 Gregson, Mick
A2 Rennoldson, Mike
A2 Gregson, Mick
LA English
YR 2023
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/184493540X
AB Self-harm, suicide, and harm inflicted on others (e.g., victimization) remain key areas of public concern. Past research has explored the link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and later self-harming and offending behaviors. However, research has not fully explored the interplay between ACEs and modifiable psychological factors, such as shame and self-compassion, that could be targeted to reduce the risk of harm and increase resilience and capacity for post-traumatic growth. The present study explored the relationship between ACEs, harm, shame, and self-compassion. A total of 1,111 adults participated. Approximately 49% were female, 45% male, and 2% nonbinary. Just under a third of the sample were incarcerated. We adopted a cross-sectional survey design and included current and retrospective data. The relationship between the variables was analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation, and structural equation modeling was applied to explore the potential psychological pathways of causation. The model predicted just under 50% of the harm to self (i.e., self-harm) variance and just over a third (35%) of the harm to others (i.e., psychological and physical aggression) variance. ACEs, shame, and self-compassion had varying roles in mediating the relationship between ACEs and harm. The study increases our understanding of modifiable causal pathways between ACEs and later harming behaviors. Additionally, it indicates the importance of understanding the different dimensions of shame when considering ways to reduce the potential long-term negative consequences of ACEs.
K1 Resilience
K1 ACE
K1 Shame
K1 Self-compassion
K1 dual harm
K1 Aggression
K1 Self-harm
DO 10.1177/08862605221141866