Abstract
This study tested the relationships in the process model of self-conscious emotions (Tracy & Robins, 2004). It was hypothesized that body-related shame occurs when individuals make stable, uncontrollable, and global attributions about the self and body-related guilt results from unstable, controllable, and specific attributions. Links were expected with identify-goal congruence and relevance, as well as attentional focus on the physical self. After reading hypothetical scenarios, males (n=105) and females (n=168; Mage=20.76±1.73) reported on physical self-worth, identity-goal relevance and congruence, attributions, and guilt and shame. Hierarchical regression analyses controlling for age, sex, and BMI were conducted. Relevance (ß=.24), globality (ß=.14) and universality (ß=.20) were significant correlates of body-related shame (R2=.17). Controllability (ß=.17), globality (ß=.17), and universality (ß=.14) were related to body-related guilt (R2=.13). Physical self-worth accounted for additional variance in body-related guilt (?R2=.03) and shame (?R2=.02). These results provide partial support for the process model, whereby inconsistencies with the model associations may indicate differences in attributional patterns for body-related contexts compared to generalized contexts. Since cognitive attributions play an important role in behaviour change, research is needed to examine the applicability of the process model of self-conscious emotions in context of the physical self.
