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A new measure to assess external and internal shame: development, factor structure and psychometric properties of the External and Internal Shame Scale

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Abstract

Shame plays a central role in psychosocial functioning, being a transdiagnostic emotion associated with several mental health conditions. According to the evolutionary biopsychosocial model, shame is a painful and difficult emotion that may be categorized into two distinct focal components: external and internal shame. External shame is focused on the experience of the self as seen in a judgemental way by others, whereas internal shame is conceptualized as self-focused negative evaluations and feelings about the self. The current study aimed to develop the External and Internal Shame Scale (EISS) to assess in a single measure these two dimensions. The study was conducted in a community sample comprising 665 participants (18 to 61 years old). Three models were tested through confirmatory factor analysis. One higher order factor (global shame) with two lower order factors (external and internal shame) revealed a good fit to the data. The scale reliability and its association with other related constructs measures were also addressed. Additionally, gender differences on shame were explored. Results showed that EISS subscales and global score presented good internal consistency, concurrent validity and were associated with depressive symptoms. Regarding gender differences, results revealed that women presented significantly higher scores both in external and internal shame. The EISS showed to be a short, robust and reliable measure. The EISS allows the assessment of the specific dimensions of external and internal shame as well as a global sense of shame experience and may therefore be an important contribution for clinical work and research in human psychological functioning.

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Acknowledgements

Appreciation is expressed to Constança Martins and Daniela Melo for assistance in recruitment of participants.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CINEICC – Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention - Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, 3000-115, Coimbra, Portugal

    Cláudia Ferreira, Mariana Moura-Ramos, Marcela Matos & Ana Galhardo

  2. Reproductive Medicine Unit, Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075, Coimbra, Portugal

    Mariana Moura-Ramos

  3. Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Largo da Cruz de Celas, n°1, 3000-132, Coimbra, Portugal

    Ana Galhardo

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  1. Cláudia Ferreira
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  2. Mariana Moura-Ramos
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  3. Marcela Matos
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  4. Ana Galhardo
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Correspondence to Ana Galhardo.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the research committee of the University of Queensland School of Psychology Ethics Committee with the approval number 18-PSYCH-4-77-JMC and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Ferreira, C., Moura-Ramos, M., Matos, M. et al. A new measure to assess external and internal shame: development, factor structure and psychometric properties of the External and Internal Shame Scale. Curr Psychol 41, 1892–1901 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00709-0

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