Comparison of Self-criticism, Shame, Guilt and Self-compassion in Students with and without Self-injury Behaviors

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master of Science in Psychology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

2 Professor of the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the role of intrapersonal and emotional factors in to appear and continuation of self-injurious behavior, the purpose of this study is comparing between self-criticism, shame, guilt, and self-compassion in students with self-injury behaviors and without it.

Method: This study is a causal comparative design. The current research population includes undergraduate students of Guilan University in 1402-1403. The sample of the present study is 730 students with self-injury behavior and without it (255 people with self-injury behavior and 475 people without self-injury behavior) who are selected from among the students of the university faculties. To collect data, from Wiederman and Sanson's non-suicidal self-injury scale questionnaire (1998), Thompsson and Zuroff’s self-criticism scale (2003), Tangney et al.'s self-conscious emotions scale (2000), and Rice et al.'s short-form self-compassion scale (2011) used. The research data has been analyzed with statistical methods of univariate and multivariate analysis of variance.

Results: The results show that self-criticism and shame have a higher index in students with self-injury behavior, and self-compassion have lower index in students with self-injury behavior (P<0.001). Also, the finding show that there is no difference in the experience of guilt between the two groups with and without self-injury behavior (P<0.05).

Discussion and conclusion: Self-criticism and shame are important factors in self-injury behavior, and self-compassion can protect against these behaviors. Therefore, strengthening self-compassion and reducing self-criticism and shame should consider in intervention and prevention programs. It is also suggest to reduce self-injury behaviors by holding educational and counseling workshops to teach the concepts and skills of self-compassion and dealing with self-criticism.

Keywords

Clinical Psychology and Personality

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 08 March 2025

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