Shame and Guilt Proneness as Mediators of PTSD/DSO Symptoms in Young Adults

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between trauma exposure, shame and guilt proneness and the development of PTSD and Disturbances in Self-Organisation (DSO) symptoms in young adults. Specifically, we hypothesised that trauma exposure would be positively correlated with PTSD and DSO symptoms and that shame and guilt would mediate this relationship. A total of 160 young adults participated in this study. Three models were tested: (1) a model with direct effects from trauma exposure to PTSD and DSO, (2) an indirect effects model where the direct paths were constrained and (3) a full model with both direct and indirect effects. Shame and guilt proneness showed a strong correlation with PTSD and DSO. Direct effects revealed that trauma exposure predicted PTSD, DSO, guilt and shame proneness. Guilt had a strong effect on PTSD, while shame had the strongest effect on DSO. Indirect effects showed that trauma exposure significantly predicted both PTSD and DSO through heightened guilt and shame. The strongest indirect relationships were trauma exposure to PTSD via guilt and trauma exposure to DSO via shame. This study demonstrates that trauma exposure is associated with heightened levels of shame and guilt proneness, which, in turn, predict greater severity of PTSD and DSO symptoms. These findings suggest that emotional regulation, particularly in relation to shame and guilt proneness, should be targeted in interventions for trauma-related disorders. Future research should further explore the role of these emotions in the development of complex PTSD.