Shame, guilt, and denial in offenders
type: CreativeWork
description: This Phi) examined shame, guilt, and denial in sexual, violent, and general offenders, aiming to reach a clear conceptualisation of these concepts. Hence a measure of shame, guilt, and denial was developed for use with offenders. The research also examined the association of shame, guilt, and denial with more stable variables. Through a consultation with 39 experts, Study 1 identified attributes of shame, guilt, and denial. Study 2 was conducted with 339 male offenders. It was predicted that shame and guilt would not be confirmed as distinct concepts. The emerging model comprised three stable/chronic factors: Chronic distress and low self-worth, Chronic responsibility and self-blame, and Emotional capacity and perspective-taking; and five offence-related factors: Acknowledging responsibility, Distress and rejection, Minimisation of harm, Lack of negative emotion, and Functions of denial. Study 3 was conducted with 349 male and 196 female offenders, and coping styles were examined. It was predicted that chronic and offence-related distress would positively correlate with emotional and avoidant coping, while offence-related distress would also negatively correlate with rational and detached coping. It was also predicted that offence-denial would positively correlate with avoidant coping. These predictions were supported. In addition, the conceptual structure emerging from study 2 was confirmed after three factors with lower reliability were removed; and minor changes to the remalning factors were made. Study 4 was conducted with 405 male offenders, and included measures of self-esteem and maladaptive personality traits. It was predicted that self-esteem would negatively correlate with chronic distress and responsibility, and have a non-significant relationship with offence-denial. It was also predicted that maladaptive personality traits would positively correlate with chronic distress, chronic responsibility, and offencedenial. These predictions were supported, and t…
abstract: This Phi) examined shame, guilt, and denial in sexual, violent, and general offenders, aiming to reach a clear conceptualisation of these concepts. Hence a measure of shame, guilt, and denial was developed for use with offenders. The research also examined the association of shame, guilt, and denial with more stable variables. Through a consultation with 39 experts, Study 1 identified attributes of shame, guilt, and denial. Study 2 was conducted with 339 male offenders. It was predicted that shame and guilt would not be confirmed as distinct concepts. The emerging model comprised three stable/chronic factors: Chronic distress and low self-worth, Chronic responsibility and self-blame, and Emotional capacity and perspective-taking; and five offence-related factors: Acknowledging responsibility, Distress and rejection, Minimisation of harm, Lack of negative emotion, and Functions of denial. Study 3 was conducted with 349 male and 196 female offenders, and coping styles were examined. It was predicted that chronic and offence-related distress would positively correlate with emotional and avoidant coping, while offence-related distress would also negatively correlate with rational and detached coping. It was also predicted that offence-denial would positively correlate with avoidant coping. These predictions were supported. In addition, the conceptual structure emerging from study 2 was confirmed after three factors with lower reliability were removed; and minor changes to the remalning factors were made. Study 4 was conducted with 405 male offenders, and included measures of self-esteem and maladaptive personality traits. It was predicted that self-esteem would negatively correlate with chronic distress and responsibility, and have a non-significant relationship with offence-denial. It was also predicted that maladaptive personality traits would positively correlate with chronic distress, chronic responsibility, and offencedenial. These predictions were supported, and t…
author: Xuereb, Sharon
language: en
keywords: C800 - Psychology
date published: 2009-10
date modified: 2026-07-24T01:36:16Z
provider: University of Central Lancashire
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Central Lancashire