Shame and emotion regulation in inflammatory bowel disease: Effects on psychosocial functioning

Although patients with inflammatory bowel disease seem to be prone to high levels of shame, the mechanisms behind the impact of chronic illness-related shame on patients' functioning have not been explored yet. This study aims to address these gaps using a sample of 161 patients with inflammatory bowel disease who completed self-report measures on an online survey. The results from path analyses showed that chronic illness-related shame presented direct and indirect effects on psychological health (R2 = .66) and social relationships (R2 = .46). The indirect effects were mediated by experiential avoidance and uncommitted living. Possible explanations to these findings and clinical implications are discussed.