The Moderating Roles of Forgiveness and Blaming Others in the Relationship Between Shame-Proneness and Depression for Adults

Recent research has identified that shame can contribute to depressive symptomology. Considering the harmful effects of clinical and subclinical depression on emotional well-being and long-term health, it is critical to consider protective factors. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between shame-proneness and depression, exploring the moderating roles of forgiveness and blaming others. In a sample of 1,275 adults (ages 18-77, 58.5% female), this cross-sectional study used self-report measures including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA), and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS) to investigate whether forgiveness and blaming others moderate the relationship between shame-proneness and depression. The results suggest that shame is associated with increased depression, an effect which was attenuated by self-forgiveness. The model explained 28% of the variance in depression ( p < .001). These results can inform strategies for clinicians when working with clients who struggle with depression, denoting the key value of self-forgiveness in attenuating the effects of shame.