ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this review was to explore the unique contribution of shame (negative evaluation of the self) and guilt (negative evaluation of behaviour) to postnatal psychological symptoms.

Background: Although shame and guilt are related to psychological symptoms, the separate effect of each in postnatal psychological symptoms are not yet known.

Methods: Seven electronic databases were systematically reviewed for articles on: (1) quantitative measures of shame, guilt, and psychological symptoms (2) in the postnatal period for infants under two years of age (3) published in English.

Results: Of the 1,615 articles retrieved using PRISMA guidelines, five met criteria and were analysed independently by two reviewers using the STROBE criteria. In mothers, shame was significantly related to stress and postnatal depression. Shame significantly predicted postnatal depression. Guilt was significantly related to postnatal depression; however, the relationship was substantially reduced when included with shame. In fathers, shame, but not guilt, was significantly related to stress, anxiety, and depression.

Conclusion: Shame and guilt are trans-diagnostic phenomena, negatively impacting on postnatal psychological health, and potentially the parent-child relationship. More research is needed to develop awareness of the unique effects of shame and guilt to optimise perinatal intervention.

摘要

目的：本综述的目的是探讨羞耻（对自我的负面评价）和内疚（对行为的负面评价）对产后心理症状的独特贡献。

背景：虽然羞耻感和内疚感与心理症状有关，但目前尚不清楚它们各自对产后心理症状的影响。

方法：系统地审查了七个电子数据库中关于以下方面的文章：（1）两岁以下婴儿产后羞耻、内疚和心理症状的定量测量（2）（3）以英文发表的文章。

结果：在使用 PRISMA 指南检索的 1,615 篇文章中，有 5 篇符合标准，并由两名评审员使用 STROBE 标准进行独立分析。在母亲中，羞耻感与压力和产后抑郁症显着相关。羞耻显着预测产后抑郁症。内疚与产后抑郁显着相关；然而，当包括羞耻感时，这种关系就大大减少了。在父亲中，羞耻感，而非内疚感，与压力、焦虑和抑郁显着相关。

结论：羞耻和内疚是跨诊断现象，对产后心理健康产生负面影响，并可能对亲子关系产生负面影响。需要更多的研究来提高对羞耻和内疚的独特影响的认识，以优化围产期干预。