Croatian version of the Test of self-conscious affect-3: Gender differences and agreement with subjectively perceived shame- and guilt-proneness

Abstract

We examined the factorial validity and reliability of the Croatian version of the Test of Self-Conscious Affect-3 (TOSCA-3). We then explored gender differences in self-conscious emotions as assessed by the TOSCA-3 and the agreement between TOSCA-3-assessed and subjectively perceived proneness to shame and guilt. A total number of 1214 Croatian students from diverse universities completed online questionnaires. The observed data showed a close fit to the proposed model. Internal consistency was good for all subscales. Shame and guilt domain were moderately correlated. Women reported significantly higher shame-proneness and guilt-proneness than men. Differences in detachment domain were small but statistically significant. No significant gender differences were observed for alpha pride, beta pride, and externalization domain. The agreement between TOSCA-3-assessed and subjectively perceived shame-proneness, as well as guilt-proneness, was poor. Men were more prone to incorporate (TOSCA-3-assessed) shame experiences under the word guilt. Our findings suggest that the Croatian version of the TOSCA-3 is a reliable measure of self-conscious emotions. Gender differences in TOSCA-3-assessed shame and guilt favor women, but the more threatening nature of TOSCA-3 scenarios to women’s identities and conforming to gender stereotypes must be taken into account. Subjectively perceived shame- and guilt-proneness should not be used interchangeably with TOSCA-3-assessed shame- and guilt-proneness, respectively.