The effects of trauma-related guilt on psychological symptoms have not been studied widely compared to other emotions such as fear. However, many studies have shown that trauma-related guilt could influence psychological adaptation. In order to examin...
The effects of trauma-related guilt on psychological symptoms have not been studied widely compared to other emotions such as fear. However, many studies have shown that trauma-related guilt could influence psychological adaptation. In order to examine trauma-related guilt and psychological adaptation, this study aimed to validate the Korean version of the Trauma-Related Guilt Inventory(TRGI) and to examine the relationship between trauma-related guilt and psychological symptoms in traumatized victims.
32 items developed by Kubany, Haynes, Francis, Manke, Brennanm, and Stahura(1996) went through translation and back-translation procedures to be properly adapted. In the preliminary study, item analysis and exploratory factor analysis were conducted in a 214 traumatized sample. As a result of common factor analysis, 4 factors were yielded: Distress, Wrongdoing, Responsibility/hindsight bias, and Lack of Justification. The TRGI scale had high internal validity, and convergent validity was replicated through significant positive correlation with other guilt scales. Divergent validity with the self-esteem scale was also appropriate.
Following preliminary study, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted with a 243 traumatized sample. The results showed that 4 factor model of the preliminary study was better fit than the original model. Differences in levels of trauma-related guilt and psychological symptoms were examined according to a diagnosis of PTSD and types of trauma.
First, based on the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, participants were divided into a non PTSD, partial PTSD, and full PTSD group, and each group was tested on guilt levels of TRGI and psychological symptom scores by ANOVA. There were significant differences among three groups on BSI-18 subscales, the total TRGI score, TRGI 3 subscales(Distress, Responsibility/hindsight bias, and Wrongdoing). These results demonstrate that individuals with partial PTSD, although somewhat less impaired than those with full PTSD, exhibit meaningful levels of psychological impairment in association with their symptoms.
Second, PTSD severity and psychological symptom severity were compared between interpersonal trauma group and non-interpersonal trauma group. The results indicated that participants who had experienced interpersonal trauma reported significantly higher levels in Distress, Responsibility/Hindsight bias, and Wrongdoing subscales as well as in PTSD subscales. Finally, in stepwise regression analysis of 4 TRGI subscales, Distress and Wrongdoing subscales significantly contributed to the severity of posttraumatic symptomatology.
These results support that the conceptualization of trauma-related guilt is a multidimensional construct and that trauma-related guilt could contribute to psychological symptoms including PTSD. In addition, they provide strong evidence toward relationship between specific type of trauma events and associated guilt and guilt cognitions. These findings mean that clinicians need to focus not only on fear but also on trauma-related guilt. Future research needs to focus on expanding knowledge on trauma-related guilt by using the TRGI with other samples and with different types of trauma populations.