Shame

Abstract. While shame is sometimes discussed as a key element at the core of personality pathologies, its relationship with pathological personality traits is still understudied. Previous research suggested that shame is a common subjective experience in patients with borderline and narcissistic personality traits. However, little is known about how borderline and narcissistic traits are associated with specific areas of shame in community samples. The present study aims to investigate these associations, using a dual strategy, that is, both at “variable-level” using correlational analyses and at “person-level” using a cluster-analytic strategy with borderline and narcissistic (grandiose and vulnerable) personality traits as clustering variables. A total of 254 French-Canadian adult participants were recruited to complete an online battery of self-report questionnaires. Correlational analyses revealed that borderline-related traits and narcissistic vulnerability showed some significant and meaningful differences pertaining to Behavioral shame while sharing a similar pattern of associations with Characterological and Bodily shame. Alternatively, shame does not appear to be a strong correlate of narcissistic grandiosity, although some significant – and somewhat unexpected – positive associations between the two were found. Cluster analysis yielded four groups based on their levels of pathological traits; the groups showed indiscriminate associations with different shame areas, suggesting that the association between shame and pathological traits is more global and less area specific.