Examining the daily relationship between guilt, shame, and substance use among veterans with psychiatric disorders

BACKGROUND: Shame and guilt are key emotions known to amplify trauma-related symptoms in veterans. Maintenance of symptoms is facilitated by avoidance behaviors, such as substance use. However, limited research has examined the associations between shame, guilt, and substance use in daily life. METHODS: The current study sought to examine the cross-lagged association between shame, guilt, and substance use. Forty veterans completed 28 days of experience sampling reporting on their current emotional experiences and use of substances. RESULTS: Results suggest a reciprocal relationship among shame and guilt and substance use, such that shame and guilt separately predicted subsequent substance use, and substance use predicted subsequent shame and guilt. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the dynamic relationship among shame, guilt, and substance use and suggest the potential value of conceptualizing these clinical targets as mutually reinforcing to inform integrative intervention strategies that can interrupt the in-the-moment cascade of negative consequences.