Levels Of Guilt Research Articles

From purchase to regret: deterring counterfeit consumption through moral emotions and multicultural identity

PurposeThis research examines whether conflicting multicultural identities may influence counterfeit consumption behavior by examining how monocultural and multicultural consumers process shame and guilt differently depending on their cultural identities. It explores how consumers’ moral emotions after buying counterfeit goods can lead to regret and reduce their likelihood of buying such goods in the future.Design/methodology/approachThis research employs a multimethod, multi-sample approach with 1,694 respondents across multiple cultures to test our hypotheses. Study 1 is survey research with overseas Chinese consumers and monocultural Chinese consumers, and Study 2 is a randomized block experiment with a European multicultural sample. This design allowed us to test both mediation and moderation hypotheses, validating the effects of shame and guilt on post-purchase regret across diverse multicultural settings.FindingsStudy 1 shows that cultural identity conflict (CIC) weakens the main effects of shame and guilt on counterfeit post-purchase regret. Study 2 shows that under artificially high levels of shame and guilt, CIC no longer weakens the effects of either shame or guilt on post-purchase regret, further confirming these main effects on counterfeit post-purchase regret. Furthermore, Study 2 demonstrates that, in a natural setting without manipulation, CIC weakens the main effects of shame and guilt on post-purchase regret, further supporting CIC’s moderating effect.Originality/valueThis study develops a model to examine counterfeit purchasing, going beyond the point of purchase to also consider post-purchase regret and repurchase intentions. It also explores moral emotions and cultural identity factors that can discourage future counterfeit purchases by increasing post-purchase regret. Finally, it investigates how this process may vary between multicultural and monocultural consumers, given their different cultural identities.

Relationship between Guilt, Shame and Treatment Motivation in Individuals with Opioid Addiction

Objective: This study aims to identify best practices in combating addiction by thoroughly examining the relationship between opioid addiction and feelings of guilt, shame, and treatment motivation. Method: The sample of the study consists of 288 patients diagnosed with opioid addiction according to DSM-5 criteria by psychiatrists at Balıklı Rum Hospital. The scales used in the study were the Sociodemographic Form, the Guilt-Shame Scale, and the Treatment Motivation Questionnaire. Results: There is a significant relationship between the level of guilt and internal motivation, confidence in treatment and treatment motivation and between shame and internal motivation and general treatment motivation. When the regression coefficients are analyzed, it is seen that only guilt scores are a significant predictor of treatment motivation scores. The shame variable does not have a significant effect. The participants' mean scores of guilt were found to be significantly higher than their mean scores of shame. Conclusion: The study revealed a significant link between guilt and various aspects of treatment motivation, while shame showed a less pronounced association. Participants reported higher mean scores for guilt compared to shame, emphasizing the potentially greater relevance of guilt in influencing treatment motivation. Focusing on psychodrama and psychoeducational group studies for the treatment of opioid addiction can make it easier for the individual to express difficult negative emotions and develop awareness within the group.

Levels of Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, and Guilt in Women with High-Risk Pregnancies.

Objectives: Pregnancy is an inherently delicate process characterized by physiological and psychological changes, even in the absence of any health complications. This study compares the levels of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and guilt in women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancies to those in a control group consisting of women with healthy pregnancies. Methods: A total of 172 women participated in the study, 108 of whom had high-risk pregnancies, and 64 had healthy pregnancies. All participants were administered a semi-structured Sociodemographic Data Form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Scale (BAI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Guilt Inventory (GI). The findings were statistically analyzed and compared. Results: Women with high-risk pregnancies had significantly higher scores on the BAI (p = 0.002), BDI (p = 0.035), and GI (p = 0.001) compared to the control group. In the logistic regression analysis for calculating the risk of high-risk pregnancy, the multivariate analysis revealed that living in rural areas posed 3.5 times higher risk for high-risk pregnancy compared to urban living (OR = 3.500, 95% CI = 1.484-8.254). Additionally, for every one-point increase in the GI score, the risk of high-risk pregnancy increased by 1.064 times (OR = 1.064, 95% CI = 1.017-1.114). In the patient group, significant positive correlations were found between the BAI score and BDI, RSES, and GI scores, while a significant negative correlation was observed between BAI and parity. There were also significant positive correlations between the BDI and RSES as well as the GI scores. Additionally, a positive significant correlation was found between the RSES and GI scores. Conclusions: Our findings may help in identifying the psychological states of women with high-risk pregnancies and.

Bisexual Identity Concealment for Marital Harmony: Cultural and Religious Pressures in Malaysia

This study investigates the concealment of bisexual identity among married men in Malaysia, a country where homosexuality is both stigmatized and criminalized under Syariah law. The problem lies in the immense cultural, religious, and legal pressures that compel these men to hide their sexual orientation, leading to significant emotional and psychological challenges. The primary objective of this research is to explore how these men manage their bisexual identities while maintaining marital harmony within a conservative, heteronormative society. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 self-identified bisexual men married to heterosexual women. The data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings reveal that societal expectations, fear of divorce, and family reputation are key factors influencing their decision to hide their sexual orientation. Participants reported high levels of anxiety, guilt, and isolation due to the dual pressure of performing heteronormativity in public while concealing their true selves in private. This study contributes to understanding the challenges faced by bisexual men in mixed-orientation marriages in Malaysia, particularly the psychological toll of maintaining secrecy. The implications underscore the need for culturally sensitive mental health services and policy reforms to provide adequate support for bisexual individuals. Such interventions are critical to reducing stigma and promoting emotional well-being in conservative societies.

Perbedaan Sengaja dan Tidak Sengaja dalam Hukum Pidana

In criminal law, the element of intent is one of the important elements that determines criminal liability. The distinction between acts committed intentionally (dolus) and acts unintentionally (culpa) has significant implications for determining sanctions and the level of guilt of the perpetrator. �Deliberately� refers to an act done with will and full knowledge of the consequences of that act. This includes intentionality as a goal, intentionality as a certainty, and intentionality as a possibility. On the other hand, 'Unintentional' refers to actions that occur due to negligence or carelessness, where the perpetrator does not intend the consequences to occur, but these consequences arise due to a lack of attention or violation of the expected standards of care. These differences are important to identify because they influence the type and severity of punishment, as well as indicating the degree of moral and legal culpability of the perpetrator. This article examines the differences in the concepts of intent and negligence in criminal law, as well as their implications for legal decisions and law enforcement policies.

Interpersonal and Trauma-Related Guilt moderate the relationship between intensity of combat experiences and suicidality

ABSTRACT Suicide rates in military-affiliated communities remain elevated since the dawn of the Global War on Terror, despite substantial efforts by clinicians and researchers. While some risk factors have been identified, mixed results need to be clarified. The current study builds on previous research by testing a structural equation model of suicide risk associated with combat experiences that by incorporates risk factors with the most empirical support (combat experiences, guilt, PTSD, depression, and the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide [IPTS] factors of Perceived Burdensomeness, Thwarted Belongingness, Acquired Capability), using improved measures, in a more representative sample of Post-9/11 deployers. The models were evaluated separately for each of two different conceptualizations of guilt (trauma-related and interpersonal) as moderating factors. The results show that higher levels of guilt, whether trauma-related or interpersonal, strengthened the relationship between combat experiences and pathology. In contrast to previous studies, intensity of combat experiences was indirectly linked to suicidality through pathology and the IPTS constructs of Perceived Burdensomeness and Acquired Capability. The most prominent pathway to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in both guilt models traveled from combat experiences through PTSD and Perceived Burdensomeness, providing a clear target for clinical and organizational interventions.

Hubungan antara Perasaan Bersalah dan Keberhasilan Pengobatan Lupus

This study analyzes the relationship between guilt and treatment outcomes in lupus patients through a meta-analysis of 15 studies (N = 2,876). The results indicate a significant negative correlation (r = -0.32, 95% CI [-0.39, -0.25], p < 0.001) between levels of guilt and lupus treatment success. Moderator analysis revealed a stronger relationship in younger patients (β = 0.015, SE = 0.006, p = 0.013) and those with a shorter disease duration (β = -0.021, SE = 0.009, p = 0.019). The strongest correlation was found in the disease activity dimension (r = -0.38, 95% CI [-0.46, -0.29]) compared to quality of life (r = -0.30, 95% CI [-0.38, -0.21]) or medication adherence (r = -0.25, 95% CI [-0.34, -0.15]). Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that coping strategies mediated 34% of the effect of guilt on treatment outcomes. Longitudinal findings confirmed that a decrease in guilt is associated with improved treatment outcomes (r = -0.29, 95% CI [-0.41, -0.16], p < 0.001). These findings extend Witvliet et al. (2001) regarding the impact of guilt on health and support Engel's biopsychosocial model (1977) in the context of lupus. Unlike Navarrete-Navarrete et al. (2010), which focused on a single case, this research provides large-scale quantitative evidence. Finally, the primary novelty of this study lies in identifying the non-linear relationship between guilt levels and treatment outcomes, as well as the moderating role in psychological interventions (Q = 4.12, df = 1, p = 0.042). Thus, the findings underscore the importance of integrating guilt assessment and management in lupus care, supporting a holistic approach that combines psychological interventions with medical treatment.

Impact of patient death on physicians’ mental health

IntroductionPhysicians often encounter stressful situations that can impact their mental well-being. The death of a patient represents one of the most difficult situations in routine medical practice. Literature notably lacks comprehensive studies into physicians’ personal experiences with patients’ deaths. However, it does underscore heightened levels of sorrow, guilt, and stress stemming from the passing of terminally ill patients. As a majority of studies in this realm adopt qualitative methodologies, there is merit in supplementing existing research with a quantitative approach that employs validated psychometric scales. Furthermore, the study of phenomena associated with stress, particularly the perceived professional support by physicians in stressful events, can contribute to the implementation of preventive measures to help physicians cope. ObjectiveOur study aims to measure the traumatic impact on resident and intern physicians at national university hospitals following the death of patients, as well as to assess the perceived level of professional support among these physicians. Materials and methodsWe conducted a nationwide cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study. Participants included interns and residents from various specialties (medical, surgical and laboratory) at national university hospitals in Morocco. Assessing the traumatic impact of patients’ death on doctors was conducted using two psychometric scales: the Peri-Traumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) and the Revised Impact of Event Scale (IES-R). Additionally, we used the Perceived Professional Social Support Scale (QSSP-P) to evaluate how supportive the professional environment was towards these doctors. All scales utilized in the study are validated in the French language. ResultsThe study included 96 participants, with 67.7% being female. The average age was 26.8 years, ranging from 23 to 39 years. The majority of participants managed more than nine patients simultaneously (58.3%) while 41.7% were scheduled for more than six 24h shifts per month. During their training, over 64.6% of interns and residents faced more than ten patients’ death incidents, and 68.8% considered their first patient death as the most traumatizing. Half of the physicians evaluated the patients’ care as moderately appropriate, with 46.9% believing that the incident could have been prevented. Notably, 70.8% of interns and residents involved in patient care experienced self-blame and attributed a share of responsibility to themselves for the patient's demise. The majority of participants, 82.3%, exhibited peri-traumatic distress with a PDI score exceeding 15. Among the studied factors, only the perceived responsibility and a management system centered on a single physician (rather than a team) demonstrated a noteworthy correlation with PDI scores. The mean score on the IES-R scale was 25.6, with almost half of the sample (54.2%) reporting moderate to severe PTSD symptoms. The severity of these symptoms was significantly correlated with higher age, high number of patient's deaths experienced and the physician's perceived sense of responsibility. Participants in our study were more satisfied with support from colleagues compared to support functions (paramedical staff, administrative officials) or superiors. Moreover, only colleagues’ support was statistically significantly associated with low scores on the traumatic impact scales. ConclusionPhysicians maintain a unique relationship and therapeutic alliance with their patients. Therefore, the death of a patient can have a significant psychological impact on the physician. This study allowed us to objectively measure this psychological impact and evaluate professional support. The results of these studies encourage further exploration of the issue and the implementation of measures to reduce this psychological impact.

Depressive self-focus bias following failure: an eye-tracking study among individuals with clinical depression.

Depression is often characterized by a persistent sense of failure. Cognitive theories of depression suggest that depressed individuals may exhibit a maladaptive cognitive style, characterized by increased self-focus following personal failure. The validity of this proposition, however, is yet to be fully examined. This study aimed to identify the relation between symptoms in major depressive disorder and increased self-focus in failure situations. This clinical study involved a cohort of 30 patients diagnosed with and treated for depression. We used an eye-tracking paradigm to observe and analyze gaze direction - indicative of either self-focus or self-avoidance - after remembering a significant failure event. Contrary to the maladaptive cognitive style hypothesis, a majority of the depressed participants demonstrated an inclination towards self-avoidance following failure. Nevertheless, approximately 30% of the patient group - those with the highest scores of guilt, punishment, and self-blame - displayed a self-focused attentional bias post-failure. The presence of a maladaptive self-focusing style may be confined to severely depressed patients with high levels of guilt, punishment, and self-blame. These findings could have substantial clinical implications, as attention bias modification interventions could be particularly beneficial for this subgroup of patients.

A longitudinal study on moral emotions and psychosocial functioning among preschool children with and without hearing loss.

Moral emotions such as shame, guilt and pride are crucial to young children's social-emotional development. Due to the restrictions caused by hearing loss in accessing the social world, deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children may encounter extra difficulties in their development of moral emotions. However, little research so far has investigated the development trajectory of moral emotions during preschool years in DHH children. The present study used a longitudinal design to explore the development trajectories of shame, guilt, and pride, in a sample of 259 Chinese DHH and typically hearing (TH) preschoolers aged 2 to 6 years old. The results indicated that according to parent reports, DHH children manifested lower levels of guilt and pride compared to their TH peers, yet the manifested levels of shame, guilt, and pride increased throughout the preschool time at a similar pace in all children. Moreover, whilst guilt and pride contributed to increasing levels of psychosocial functioning over the preschool years, shame contributed to lower social competence and more externalizing behaviors in DHH and TH preschoolers. The outcomes imply that early interventions and adjustment to hearing loss could be useful to safeguard the social development of children with severe hearing loss, and cultural variances shall be taken into consideration when studying moral emotions in a Chinese cultural background.

FC23: Impact of a co-designed older carer mental and physical health service in Australia: Preliminary results of a pilot study

Objectives: Older people with care needs are often supported by their older care-partners (50+). Over time, the increased demand in care needs can result in the care partner placing their own health needs aside. This study was aimed at establishing and piloting a novel co-designed Carer Health and Wellbeing Service (CHWS) that offers multidisciplinary (social work, psychology, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy) one-to-one support to care partners.Methods: We conducted a pre-post 6-month study design including qualitative and quantitative Methods. Consenting individuals attending the CHWS completed five measures pre- and post- their interaction with the CHWS: Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT); Preparedness for Caregiving Scale (PCS); Family Appraisal of Caregiving Questionnaire (FACQ); EuroQoL Five Dimension Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L); and Health Economics Survey.Results: Service operation commenced 1 day/week in March 2024 with 16 participants to date. Preliminary pre- service use indicates care partners feel underprepared for the carer role (particularly emotionally and psychologically), experience high levels of guilt when addressing their own care needs and are unsure about how to advocate or navigate the existing support system. Care partners have been coached to identify, prioritize, and address their current health and wellbeing needs. Additional findings regarding the implementation of the CHWS will be reported in this presentation.Conclusions: The preliminary sample presents several emotional and psychological needs that need addressing. These will inform the type of support services to be provided as part of the CHWS, which will also be presented at the conference.

The Resilience Factor: Examining its Potential to Alleviate Shame and Guilt in School Bullying.

School violence, in particular bullying by peers, has become a problem on the public agenda. In the context of bullying, children exposed report high levels of shame and guilt which increase victimization since involves a humiliating experience associated with the lack of acceptance by the peer group and can negatively affect mental health. Both emotions have been previously studied in peer violence context. Now we aim to examine resilience as a potential factor to alleviate shame and guilt in school bullying. We conducted a study to test if resilience mediates the feeling of shame and guilt effect of being exposed to bullying; that is, if resilience entails protective behaviors that favour the dissipation of the risk of feeling shame and guilt when exposed to direct violence in school. First, we adapted to Mexican Spanish the research instrument Short Version of the State Shame and Guilt Scale (SSGS-8, Cavalera et al., 2017)-; then we conducted a quantitative, explanatory, cross-sectional approach study; both were carried out in two different non-urban high schools near the city of Monterrey, Mexico, randomizing groups. We found through a moderated mediation analysis that resilience is a key piece to transform shame and practically alleviate negative school violence consequences the indirect effect of resilience on the relationship between direct violence in school and shame was moderated by gender, better for boys than for girls. As its presence restrain shame in those who have been exposed to direct violence in school, it is important to strengthen resilience in adolescents. Promoting the development of shame resilience in adolescents is crucial to prevent them from questioning whether something is wrong with them when exposed to violence. We must continue making efforts to eradicate violence in schools through prevention programs and public policies.

Guilt, alexithymia, and posttraumatic symptoms in the aftermath of intimate partner violence: A mediation analysis.

The objective of this article is to explore the relationships between two significant predictors, as indicated by existing literature, of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms: guilt and alexithymia. The investigation centers on a clinical sample of women who have encountered intimate partner violence (IPV). A total of 740 women who had experienced IPV (Mage = 42.84, SD = 11.092) were recruited to participate in this study. Mediation analysis was employed to examine the mediating role of guilt and alexithymic difficulties in the relationship between IPV and PTSD symptoms. The findings of this study provide empirical support for the mediating effects of guilt and alexithymia in the link between IPV and PTSD symptoms. Specifically, higher levels of guilt and alexithymia were found to be associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing symptoms of PTSD among women with an IPV experience. The results of this study have important implications for the development of interventions tailored to the specific needs of women who have experienced IPV. In particular, interventions that target and address guilt and alexithymia hold promise for effectively mitigating symptoms of PTSD in this population. By addressing these underlying factors, interventions can help women navigate their trauma, facilitate emotional processing, and support their journey toward recovery and well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The role of emotions in collective responses to in-group norm violations: the case of university’s sensitivity to the natural environment norm

The primary objective of this study was to examine the influence of perceptions of environmental in-group norm violations and the associated emotions on the level of support for environmental social movements. Particularly, we examined the association between collective action intentions and the emotions of anger, disgust, guilt, and pride elicited in response to the violation of in-group pro-environmental norms. There were 221 undergraduate participants (154 females, 62 males, 5 non-binary) studying at a Turkish state university, where preserving on-campus environment is perceived as the norm. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions in which on-campus environmental norms were violated or adopted by their peers (i.e., in-group members). Then, their perceptions of norm-violation, emotions about their peers’ on-campus environmental behaviors, and collective action intentions in improving campus’s environmental circumstances were measured. We used structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized links between the study variables. Our findings revealed that participants exhibited high levels of norm violation anger, guilt, and disgust and low levels of pride when their peers were presented as polluters. Only anger and pride were found to be influential in motivating intentions for collective actions. Norm violation perception by itself was not instrumental in mobilizing individuals for the sake of the environment. When coupled with feelings of anger and pride, its association with endorsing intentions for environmental collective action became significant. The current findings shed light on the emotions associated with norm violation and their potential to foster pro-environmental collective action.

Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Role of Guilt Sensitivity and Support.

Background/Objectives: Burden Syndrome, also known as Caregiver Syndrome, particularly affects those who serve in the role of informal caregiver in the presence of family members with conditions. The ABCX dual model examines the impact on the caregiver of the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on the family. This model considers the severity of the stressor (A), the additional demands of life stress (aA), the family's internal resources (B), the family's external resources (bB), the family's assessment of the situation (C), coping strategies (cC), and outcome (X). The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationships between resilience, guilt, and burden of care in caregivers of children with ASD. Methods: Various assessment instruments were used, including the "Caregiver Burden Inventory" to measure burden, the "Brief Resilience Scale" to assess resilience, the "Guilt Sensitivity Questionnaire" to examine guilt sensitivity, and the "DA.L.I.A." to collect information on parent and child characteristics. A total of 80 parents/caregivers participated in the research, including 53 women (Age M = 41.72; SD = 7.8) and 27 men (Age M = 43.35; SD = 6.29). Results: The findings indicate that individuals' resilience to stressful events correlates negatively with burden, a developmental subtype. However, guilt seems not to play a significant role in the overall perception of burden. In contrast, it was found that the use of informal supports is associated with higher levels of guilt and emotional burden, whereas the use of formal supports is correlated with higher emotional burden, but not higher perceptions of guilt. Conclusions: This study provides important information about the support needed by caregivers and suggests how to address emotional burdens to prevent burnout and support families with children with ASD.

Evaluation of the coping attitudes of Alzheimer patients' relatives from the perspectives of depression, anxiety and guilt

This study aims to assess coping attitudes in primary caregivers of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease residing in an institution, and to evaluate the association between coping attitudes and levels of guilt, depression, and anxiety among caregivers. The sample of this study consists of 150 individuals with relatives diagnosed with Alzheimer. The Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Coping Attitudes Scale, the Guilt Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory were used in the present study. It was determined that the participants' coping levels were below the average score and that they frequently used problem focus coping attitudes. A positive relationship was found between the emotion focused, nonfunctional coping levels of the participants and their continuous guilt, anxiety and depression levels. Depression and guilt has a strong effect on coping attitudes, while anxiety was determined to be a moderate predictive variable. Findings show that caregivers with depression, anxiety and continuous guilt use non-functional and emotional coping more frequently.

Do Moral Emotions Interact with Self-Control and Unstructured Socializing in Explaining Rule-Breaking Behavior Committed Together with Friends?

Previous research has shown that moral emotions interact with self-control and unstructured socializing in explaining rule-breaking behavior. High levels of moral emotions appear to weaken the effects of both self-control and unstructured socializing, in explaining rule-breaking behavior. The current study examined whether these interactions also affect rule-breaking behavior that is explicitly committed with friends. In addition, three operationalizations of moral emotions were distinguished. Data were collected from N = 169 adolescents (54% female; mean = 14.95 years; SD = 1.7) using a self-report questionnaire battery. Results indicate that high levels of anticipated emotions in moral conflicts (AEMC) attenuate the effect of low self-control on one's own rule-breaking behavior. In contrast, high levels of both guilt- and shame-proneness enhanced the effect of unstructured socializing on one's own and rule-breaking with friends. The limitations of the study, ideas for future research, and practical implications are also discussed.

Surgeon perceptions of personality as an influencing factor on anastomotic decision-making: A qualitative analysis.

Surgeon personality is a factor influencing rectal anastomotic decision-making. However, it is unclear how or why this may be the case, or what aspects of personality are involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the views of colorectal surgeons on how their individual personality may influence variation in anastomotic decision-making. Purposive sampling was used to invite certified UK-based colorectal surgeons to participate, with individual interviews used for data collection. Participants were recruited until ongoing data review indicated no new codes were generated (i.e. data sufficiency). Data were analysed thematically following Braun and Clarke's six-step framework. Seventeen colorectal surgeons (eight female, nine male) participated. Two key themes relating to personality and decision-making were identified: (1) surgeon development and training and (2) patient-surgeon interactions, each with relevant subthemes. Surgeons described how their personality may influence patients' postoperative outcomes (e.g. decision-making, team working and communication) and potential mechanisms for how their personality may influence operative risk-taking. Following anastomotic leakage, surgeons described a disproportionate sense of guilt and responsibility. There appears to be a significant transition in responsibility from trainee to newly appointed consultant, which may be part of the 'hidden curriculum' of surgical training. Colorectal surgeons have described their perceptions of how personality traits may impact variation in decision-making and patient outcomes for the first time. Early career surgeons felt ill-prepared for the level of guilt experienced when managing complications. Surgeons appear open to personality assessment if this was through an educational lens, with the aim of improving decision-making following complications and overall performance.

The effect of in-game moral choices and NPCs’ identities on players’ intergroup attitudes

Extant literature suggested that committing immoral actions in video games may elicit feelings of guilt and encourage prosocial outcomes. However, there is a dearth of research that examined how decision-making involving various moral foundations in video games can influence players' intergroup perceptions. Therefore, this study examined how players’ in-game decisions with respect to the six moral foundations and interactions with different non-player characters’ (NPCs’) identities influenced their attitudes toward outgroup foreign immigrants. A 2 (video game scenarios: moral choices vs. non-moral choices) by 3 (NPCs’ nationality: all citizens vs. citizens and foreigners vs. all foreigners) experiment was conducted (N = 300). There was no main interaction effect across conditions. Participants who interacted with only citizen NPCs reported significantly more positive post-game attitudes toward immigrants than those who interacted with both citizen and foreigner characters. Participants who violated the care/harm, ingroup/loyalty, and liberty/oppression foundations experienced higher levels of guilt, but this had no impact on their immigrant attitudes. However, those who violated the fairness/reciprocity and liberty/oppression foundations reported poorer intergroup attitudes. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Dialectical behavioral therapy for complex posttraumatic stress disorder (DBT-PTSD): an evidence-based disorder-specific treatment program

Dialectical behavioral therapy for complex posttraumatic stress disorders (DBT-PTSD) is amodular treatment program that was developed at the Central Institute for Mental Health at the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 2005-2021. DBT-PTSD is designed to meet the needs of patients with complex PTSD related to sexual or physical trauma in childhood and adolescence. It is specifically designed for patients suffering from severe emotional dysregulation, persistent self-injury, chronic suicidal ideation, severe dissociative symptoms and amarkedly negative self-concept with a high level of guilt, shame, self-loathing and interpersonal problems. To address these different core symptoms, DBT-PTSD combines evidence-based therapeutic strategies: principles, rules, and skills of DBT, trauma-specific cognitive and exposure-based techniques, imaginative interventions and procedures for behavioral change. The treatment program is designed to be carried out in an outpatient (45weeks) or residential (12weeks) setting. The results from two randomized controlled trials showed large effect sizes across very different symptom domains and a significant superiority of DBT-PTSD over Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Based on these results, DBT-PTSD is currently a promising evidence-based treatment program for all features of a complex PTSD after sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence.