Subjective and Experiential Correlates of Guilt in Daily Life

Abstract

Study 1 examined everyday guilt with an experience sampling method. Mild guilt feelings were common in this adult sample, although strong or severe guilt feelings were rare. Guilt feelings were positively correlated with aversive arousal states and were negatively correlated with pleasant, relaxed states. Guilt feelings were fairly evenly distributed across a broad range of activities and thought patterns, with the exception that thinking about self in relation to others was associated with especially high frequencies of guilt. Guilt was linked to social distress, such as interpersonal conflict, rejection, and loneliness, as well as to feelings of uncertainty. In Study 2, guilt was found to be more linked to interpersonal circumstances and close relationships than a variety of other negative affective states. The results generally support theoretical views of guilt as relevant to action control and interpersonal relations.