The role of shame and self‐critical thinking in the development and maintenance of current threat in post‐traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Abstract There is increasing recognition of emotions other than fear in post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and recent research has looked at the role of shame. Cognitive theory suggests that PTSD is caused by traumatic experiences being processed in a way that causes ongoing current threat. In this paper we suggest that shame might contribute to the creation/maintenance of ongoing current threat as it attacks an individual's psychological integrity. A correlational design was used to investigate some of the factors that might contribute to a shame response within a PTSD sample. It was hypothesized that individuals with PTSD who report higher levels of shame would be more prone to engage in self‐critical thinking and less prone to engage in self‐reassuring thinking than individuals with PTSD who report lower levels of shame. Data were gathered using self‐report questionnaires, and results supported the hypotheses. It is suggested therapy for shame‐based PTSD needs to incorporate strategies to help individuals develop inner caring, compassion and self‐reassurance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message: • Some individuals with PTSD report high levels of shame. • High levels of shame are associated with high levels of self‐critical thinking and low levels of self‐reassuring thinking. • Therapy for shame‐based PTSD needs to incorporate strategies that help individuals develop inner caring, compassion and self‐reassurance.

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