The Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment and Shame and Guilt in Individuals with Major Depressive Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M. A. in Psychology, Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Yazd, Yazd, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences,Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

3 Assistant professor of Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

10.48308/apsy.2025.241152.1887

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the relationship between childhood maltreatment and feelings of shame and guilt and compared maltreatment patterns among individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and healthy controls.
 
Method: A descriptive-correlational and causal-comparative design was used. The sample included 51 individuals with MDD, 49 individuals with BPD, and 50 healthy controls recruited via convenience sampling in Yazd in 2021. Measures included the Childhood Abuse Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Leichsenring Borderline Personality Inventory, and the Shame and Guilt Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and ANOVA.
 
Results: Among individuals with MDD, emotional neglect predicted shame (β = 0.52), while emotional neglect (β = 0.55) and emotional abuse (β = 0.40) predicted guilt. Among individuals with BPD, sexual abuse (β = 0.37) and emotional abuse (β = 0.35) predicted shame, whereas physical abuse (β = 0.55) and neglect (β = 0.26) predicted guilt.
 
Conclusion: Childhood maltreatment is strongly associated with maladaptive self-conscious emotions in both MDD and BPD. These findings highlight the importance of trauma-informed assessment and intervention in mood and personality disorders.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Applied Psychology
Volume 19, Issue 4 - Serial Number 76
December 2025
Pages 85-108

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