95 leaves. / The area of shame, in psychology, has become increasingly popular
in recent years. Despite a great richness of theoretical
literature, there is, unfortunately, a dearth of actual research
on shame. This study has sought to empirically investigate the
relationship between shame and three compulsive behaviours,
namely, alcohol dependence, drug dependence and disordered
eating. Relations between shame and alcohol dependence, and shame
and drug dependence have already been established in the research
literature. This study sought to validate these relationships and
to extend the research in the area to establish a link between
shame and disordered eating. Cook's Internalised Shame Scale was
used to assimilate shame, whilst Millon's Clinical Multiaxial
Inventory was used to assess drug and alcohol dependence.
Disordered eating was assessed by using the Eating Attitudes
Test. Pearson's Product Moment Correlations were computed, and
regression analyses were conducted, it was found that shame was
significantly correlated with alcohol dependence, drug dependence
and disordered eating, and that shame predicted 33% of the
variation in alcohol dependent behaviour, 36% of the variation
in drug dependent behaviour, and 30% of the variation in
disordered eating.
Within the methodology used it was not possible to establish
causality. However, it was possible to contextualise these
results within the literature, and suggest possible explanations.
From within the literature on shame it was suggested that shame
is linked to alcohol abuse and drug abuse as well as to
disordered eating, and that the relationship is one of circular
causality. Shame is consequent on these behaviours but these
behaviours also attempt to reduce shame and are intended to be
self soothing, and containing of the uncomfortable feelings
attached to an inadequate sense of self. Limitations of the
study, and suggestions for future research were examined. / AM2016
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/21123 |
| Date | 27 December 1996 |
| Creators | Hooper, Megan |
| Publisher | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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