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Depression in Institutionalized Adolescents: The Role of Memories of Warmth and Safeness, Shame and Self-criticism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 April 2021

Sara Santos Open the ORCID record for Sara Santos [Opens in a new window]  and
Maria do Céu Salvador Open the ORCID record for Maria do Céu Salvador [Opens in a new window]
Sara Santos*
Affiliation:
Universidade de Coimbra (Portugal)
Maria do Céu Salvador
Affiliation:
Universidade de Coimbra (Portugal)
*
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Sara Santos. Universidade de Coimbra. Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação. Centro de Investigação em Neuropsicologia e Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental (CINEICC). E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Institutionalization is a current problem, related to several indicators of psychological maladjustment. In the same way, there are several studies that point to the role of shame and self-criticism in the development of psychopathology. Therefore, our study explored, in institutionalized adolescents, whether early memories of warmth and safeness (EMWS) were associated to depression through external shame and self-criticism. The sample included 171 institutionalized adolescents (60.2% girls; Mage = 15.56; SD = 1.49). Depression, EMWS, external shame and self-criticism were assessed. The EMWS didn’t show a direct effect on depression, exerting its effect indirectly through external shame and self-criticism. The relationship between EMWS and self-criticism was fully mediated by external shame, and the relationship between external shame and depression was fully mediated by self-criticism. In conclusion, the way the individual sees and relates to the self seems to impact on psychological adjustment and in the development of psychopathology. The fact that external shame and self-criticism fully mediated the relationship between EMWS and depression emphasizes the relevance of preventive and therapeutic approaches that aim to promote a healthier way of relating to the self.

Keywords

depressionearly memories of warmth and safenessexternal shameinstitutionalized adolescentsself-criticism
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 24 , 2021 , e29
Copyright
© Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2021

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Footnotes

Conflicts of Interest: None

Funding Statement: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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