TYPICAL THOUGHTS OF A PERSON EXPERIENCING GUILT OF VARIOUS INTENSITY

Abstract

The article presents the results of a statistical analysis of a survey of respondents regarding their main thoughts that fuel feelings of guilt. The analysis shows that all thoughts have a high positive correlation with the intensity of guilt (r > 0.85). However, thoughts related to general self-esteem, identity, and expectations of external condemnation have the strongest connection with deep guilt. Shallow guilt is functional and aimed at correcting behavior. Moderate guilt is a transitional phase where guilt for an action begins to correlate with a negative self-assessment. Deep guilt is unconstructive. It is characterized by the dominance of the identity and condemnation cluster over the initial action-oriented cluster, which can lead to depressive states and self-destructive behavior. The predominance of respondents in the 15–20 age group (a period of identification and high sensitivity to social evaluation) may explain the high correlation of opinions related to social condemnation (T3), emphasizing the relevance of this phenomenon for young people. The key psychological conclusion of the study is that an increase in the intensity of guilt correlates with a cognitive shift in focus: from the evaluation of a specific action to the evaluation of one’s own identity (I). When working with deep guilt, therapeutic intervention should be aimed at discrediting the internal judgment of “deserving condemnation” (T5). It is necessary to break the link between acknowledging guilt for an action and accepting a negative, global assessment of oneself. Identifying the main thoughts accompanying feelings of guilt is important both for selecting psychological techniques and for psychological correction. This will contribute not only to a deeper understanding of the client’s (patient’s) inner world, but also to the practical solution of problems related to self-blame, anxiety, or destructive forms of guilt.