British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 49(4), November 2010, pp.563-576.
Publisher:
Wiley
Using a definition of self-harm encompassing physical and nonphysical self-harming and/or risk-taking behaviours, this study explored the relationship of forms and functions of self-criticism, shame, and social rank variables to self-harm, depression and anxiety. It used a questionnaire design, with a mixed nonpsychotic clinical group of 73 adult patients taking part in the study. The results showed that self-harm was significantly associated with forms and functions of self-criticism, shame, and feelings of inferiority (low social rank), and the self-persecuting function of self-criticism was especially linked to self-harm, depression, and anxiety. The authors discuss the results and their implications, and conclude that the research suggests that a focused approach on self-critical styles
Using a definition of self-harm encompassing physical and nonphysical self-harming and/or risk-taking behaviours, this study explored the relationship of forms and functions of self-criticism, shame, and social rank variables to self-harm, depression and anxiety. It used a questionnaire design, with a mixed nonpsychotic clinical group of 73 adult patients taking part in the study. The results showed that self-harm was significantly associated with forms and functions of self-criticism, shame, and feelings of inferiority (low social rank), and the self-persecuting function of self-criticism was especially linked to self-harm, depression, and anxiety. The authors discuss the results and their implications, and conclude that the research suggests that a focused approach on self-critical styles and their origins may provide new lines in research and a focus for therapeutic interventions.
British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53(2), 2014, pp.228-244.
Publisher:
Wiley
... of fears of happiness, compassion from others and for self, in addition to measures of alexithymia, attachment, social safeness, and depression, anxiety, and stress.
Results: Fears of compassion and happiness were highly correlated with alexithymia, adult attachment, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Fear of happiness was found to be the best predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas fear of compassion from others was the best predictor of adult attachment. A path analysis showed that fears of positive emotion fully mediate the link between alexithymia and depression. This clinical sample had higher mean scores in fears of positive emotions, alexithymia, and depression, anxiety, and stress than a previously studied student sample.
Conclusions: This study adds to the evidence that fears
(Publisher abstract)
Objectives: In a non-clinical population, fears of compassion and fear of happiness have both been found to be highly correlated with alexithymia and depression. This study sought to explore these processes and their links with adult attachment and social safeness and pleasure in a depressed group.
Method: A total of 52 participants suffering from moderate to severe depression completed measures of fears of happiness, compassion from others and for self, in addition to measures of alexithymia, attachment, social safeness, and depression, anxiety, and stress.
Results: Fears of compassion and happiness were highly correlated with alexithymia, adult attachment, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Fear of happiness was found to be the best predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas fear of compassion from others was the best predictor of adult attachment. A path analysis showed that fears of positive emotion fully mediate the link between alexithymia and depression. This clinical sample had higher mean scores in fears of positive emotions, alexithymia, and depression, anxiety, and stress than a previously studied student sample.
Conclusions: This study adds to the evidence that fears of positive emotions are important features of mental health difficulties. Unaddressed, these fears can block positive emotions and may lead to emotional avoidance of positive affect thus contributing as blocks to successful therapy. Therapies for depression may therefore profitably assess and desensitize the fear of positive emotions.
(Publisher abstract)
Mental Health Religion and Culture, 10(2), March 2007, pp.127-141.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
This study explored differences in shame-focused attitudes to mental health problems in Asian and non-Asian students. The 'Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems' (ATMHP) is a self-report scale designed for this study to measure: external shame (beliefs that others will look down on self if one has mental health problems); internal shame (related to negative self-evaluations); and reflected shame (believing that one can bring shame to family/community). A second questionnaire was designed to measure concerns with confidentiality. Results suggest that Asian students have higher external shame and reflected shame, but not internal shame beliefs. Asian students were also more concerned with confidentiality when it comes to talking about personal feeling/anxieties.
This study explored differences in shame-focused attitudes to mental health problems in Asian and non-Asian students. The 'Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems' (ATMHP) is a self-report scale designed for this study to measure: external shame (beliefs that others will look down on self if one has mental health problems); internal shame (related to negative self-evaluations); and reflected shame (believing that one can bring shame to family/community). A second questionnaire was designed to measure concerns with confidentiality. Results suggest that Asian students have higher external shame and reflected shame, but not internal shame beliefs. Asian students were also more concerned with confidentiality when it comes to talking about personal feeling/anxieties.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, students, women, Asian people, attitudes, anxiety;