How is Shame Related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Abstract

Shame is an overwhelming emotion in which one views themselves negatively (internal shame) or believes that others see them in a negative light (external shame). Higher levels of shame have been associated with mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression. Research suggests that shame is linked to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD); however, there is limited evidence exploring this relationship. This study explored the relationship between types of shame (internal shame and external shame) and OCD symptomology and severity. Adult participants recruited from Facebook and a University population took part in an online survey measuring OCD symptom severity, OCD dimensions, internal shame, external shame, depression and anxiety. Measures of internal shame and external shame were positively correlated with OCD symptoms, OCD profiles, depression and anxiety. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that both internal and external shame are related to OCD symptom severity when controlling for depression and anxiety. Internal and external shame were positively correlated with all four OCD symptom dimensions, and the harm dimension was more strongly correlated with shame than other profiles. The findings suggest that shame may be an important factor to address when providing intervention for people with OCD.