Date
12-19-2023
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Joyce Brady
Keywords
cognitive distortions, young adults, social relations, goal setting, mental health, shame, negative emotions
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Shanks, John E., "Relationships Between Shame, Cognitive Distortions and Positive Relationships with Others Among Young Adults, and Changes in Shame Resulting from an Intervention Focusing on Cognitive Distortions" (2023). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5091.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5091
Abstract
Experiences of shame are strongly correlated with diminished social relations in individuals of all ages. Difficult and traumatic early childhood situations and experiences such as partner abuse, sexual violence in situations with differences in status commonly lead to shame. Difficult family situations and traumatic situations also frequently result in cognitive distortions, flawed thinking which often continues through adulthood. This study evaluated the experiences of shame, satisfaction of social relations, and cognitive distortions of young adults ages 18-25 years of age. Participants included 88 young adults recruited from social media sites and email contacts. Self-report measures were used to evaluate the level of these factors in participants, including before- and after-measurements to determine results on changes in levels of shame and cognitive distortions from a psychoeducational intervention on learning about cognitive distortions. Pearson’s r tests were carried out to determine the relationships between the variables, with paired t-tests carried out to determine the effect of the psychoeducational intervention on levels of shame and on cognitive distortions. Results of these tests showed a strong positive relationship between shame and cognitive distortions in young adults and a negative relationship between cognitive distortions and relationships, with no relationship found between levels of shame and relationships. The paired t-tests found significant changes in both cognitive distortions and levels of shame, following a brief intervention focused on learning about cognitive distortions. The value of this study will include the way in which learning about cognitive distortions can reduce shame in individuals and perhaps result in improved relationships in young adults.
