Date
4-29-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Stacey A. Gaines
Keywords
Internalized shame, belongingness deficits, self-harm, self-esteem
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Bochey, Yulissa, "From Belongingness Deficits to Self-Harm: Examining Internalized Shame, Self-Esteem, and the Moderating Roles of Resilience, Social Support, and Religious Coping" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8239.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8239
Abstract
Belongingness is a fundamental human need, and its absence can contribute to profound emotional and behavioral consequences. When individuals experience prolonged social exclusion, they often internalize rejection, resulting in shame, diminished self-worth, and, in some cases, self-harming behaviors. Despite a growing body of research on social exclusion and emotional distress, there is little known regarding how internalized shame, self-harm, and religious coping relate with belongingness deficits. This study investigated the relationship between belongingness deficits and internalized shame, with particular attention to the moderating roles of resilience, perceived social support, and religious coping, as well as the mediating role of self-esteem. Survey instruments were administered to 187 adults (55.6% female; 66.3% college-educated) recruited via Connect by CloudResearch. A series of regression-based analyses were conducted to examine direct effects, as well as mediation and moderation relationships among the study variables. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between belongingness deficits and internalized shame. Resilience demonstrated the strongest negative correlation with internalized shame, showing a large inverse association. Neither resilience nor perceived social support significantly moderated the belongingness–shame relationship, and self-esteem did not function as a statistically significant mediator. Internalized shame was positively associated with self-harm behaviors. Religious coping was associated with lower internalized shame but did not significantly moderate the shame–self-harm relationship. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of how unmet belongingness needs and internalized shame are associated with emotional distress and self-harm. Results are intended to inform both psychological practice and faith-based counseling by highlighting the interplay of psychosocial and spiritual resources in supporting emotional well-being among individuals experiencing social disconnection.
