Shame and guilt in the relationship between alexithymia and psychological distress among men

What is it about?

The relationship between alexithymia, psychological distress and suicide-related behaviours is well established. However, it is less clear how shame and guilt may play a role in these relationships. This study explored the mediating roles of shame and guilt in the relationships between alexithymia and psychological distress and suicide-related behaviours among men.

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Why is it important?

Our findings show that alexithymia, men’s difficulties identifying and describing their feelings, and corresponding distress were explained by shame – which promotes men to hide their perceived ‘defective’ self, while guilt was more clearly related to men’s suicide-related behaviours.