Acceptance of shame and embarrassment: Scale development and initial findings in a clinical sample

Abstract

ObjectivesThe ability to accept painful feelings is associated with decreased distress and better functioning. We set out to design an instrument that specifically measures acceptance of shame and embarrassment, as this may be important for the social functioning and mood of people with chronic conditions. MethodsAn item set was presented to 415 non-clinical adults and to 200 people with chronic pain. Item and factor analysis were used in the creation of an instrument; the reliability and validity of this instrument were examined. Regression analysis was used to examine the ability of this instrument to predict social functioning and mood in the clinical group. ResultsA 17-item unifactorial instrument was created that had good psychometric properties in both groups (the Acceptance of Shame and Embarrassment Scale, ASES). It correlated with other measures of acceptance, and of social discomfort. It had specific predictive power in the prediction of social functioning and mood in the clinical group. ConclusionsThe ASES is a reliable and valid instrument measuring the ability to accept shame and embarrassment. This ability is associated with better social functioning and mood in people with chronic pain; this form of acceptance should be targeted in treatment.