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Journals / Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 27 Sayı: 52

The Relationship Between Guilt, Shame, Psychological Flexibility and Self-Compassion in Mourning

YASTA SUÇLULUK, UTANÇ, PSİKOLOJİK ESNEKLİK VE ÖZ ŞEFKAT

Şeyda Betül Kılıç0009-0000-5691-9233
Fatma Turan(Üsküdar Üniversitesi)0000-0002-9982-4792
Pages
1443–1462
Publication Date
2026-09-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Findings indicated that self-compassion was negatively associated with shame and positively associated with psychological flexibility, while psychological flexibility was positively associated with guilt and negatively associated with shame.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:According to the Continuing Bonds Theory, the grieving process does not involve completely severing the emotional bond with the deceased, but rather maintaining it in a healthy manner.
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Key Findings & Data:The research was conducted using a quantitative research design and a correlational survey method with 533 participants aged between 22 and 61.
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Conclusion & Impact:Findings indicated that self-compassion was negatively associated with shame and positively associated with psychological flexibility, while psychological flexibility was positively associated with guilt and negatively associated with shame.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:öz şefkat · psikolojik esneklik · suçluluk

Abstract

According to the Continuing Bonds Theory, the grieving process does not involve completely severing the emotional bond with the deceased, but rather maintaining it in a healthy manner. The continuation of this bond may facilitate coping with guilt and shame. This study examined the relationship between guilt and shame and self-compassion and psychological flexibility in adults who experienced loss due to death. The research was conducted using a quantitative research design and a correlational survey method with 533 participants aged between 22 and 61. The Guilt and Shame Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Psychological Flexibility Scale were used as measurement instruments. Findings indicated that self-compassion was negatively associated with shame and positively associated with psychological flexibility, while psychological flexibility was positively associated with guilt and negatively associated with shame. The findings were discussed within the framework of the Continuing Bonds Theory.

Özet

Süregiden Bağlar Teorisine göre yas süreci, kaybedilen kişiyle duygusal bağın tamamen kopması değil, sağlıklı bir şekilde sürdürülmesini içerir. Bu bağın devamı, suçluluk ve utançla başa çıkmayı kolaylaştırabilir. Bu araştırmada, ölüme bağlı kayıp yaşayan yetişkinlerde suçluluk ve utanç duygularının öz şefkat ve psikolojik esneklik ile ilişkisi incelenmiştir. Araştırma nicel araştırma deseninde, ilişkisel tarama yöntemiyle 22-61 yaş arası 533 katılımcıyla yürütülmüştür. Suçluluk ve Utanç Ölçeği, Öz Şefkat Ölçeği ve Psikolojik Esneklik Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, öz şefkatin utanç ile negatif, psikolojik esneklik ile pozitif yönde ilişkili olduğunu; psikolojik esnekliğin, suçluluk ile pozitif, utanç ile negatif ilişkili olduğunu göstermiştir. Ayrıca bulgular, psikolojik esnekliğin ve öz şefkatin, bireyin kayıp sonrası duygusal bağlarını daha sağlıklı sürdürmesine ve suçluluk ile utancın etkilerini azaltmasına katkı sağladığını göstermekte olup Süregiden Bağlar Teorisi çerçevesinde tartışılmıştır.

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Cite This Article

Kılıç, Ş. B., Turan, F. (2026). The Relationship Between Guilt, Shame, Psychological Flexibility and Self-Compassion in Mourning. Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 27 Sayı: 52, 1443–1462. https://doi.org/10.21550/sosbilder.1880055

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