Associations between pride, shame and self-rated health in adolescence

(1)

Associations between pride, shame and self-rated

health in adolescence

Eva Randell

1, 2

_{, Junia Joffer}

1, 3,

_{Renée Flacking}

2

_{, Bengt Starrin}

4

_{, Lars Jerdén}

1, 2, 3

References

Breidablik, H. J., Meland, E, & Lydersen, S. (2008). Self-rated health in adolescence: A multifactorial composite. Scand J Public Health, 36(1), 12 - 20. Hart, Daniel, & Matsuba, M Kyle. (2007). The development of pride and moral life. The selfconscious emotions: Theory and research, 114-133.

Scheff, T. J. (2014). A Retrospective Look at Emotions. In J. E. Stets & J. H. Turner (Eds.), Handbook of the Sociology of Emotions: Volume II (pp. 245-266): Springer Netherlands.

1 _{Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden}

2 _{School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, 791 88 Falun, Sweden}

3 _{Center for Clinical Research Dalarna – Uppsala University, Nissers väg 3, 791 82 Falun, Sweden}

4 _{Department of Social Studies, Faculty of Social and Life Sciences, Karlstad University, 65188 Karlstad, Sweden}

Contact: Eva Randell era@du.se

Conclusions:

• Experiencing shame and pride is significantly associated with SRH among adolescent boys and girls.

• The pride-shame model showed associations with SRH; lower pride and higher shame were associated to

lower SRH and higher pride and lower shame were associated to high SRH.

• Experiencing pride seems to serve as a protective mechanism in SRH in adolescents exposed to shame

and this knowledge could be useful in the adolescent health promotion.

Introduction:

Pride and shame are important emotions influencing identity development and well-being in adolescence and self-rated health (SRH) is a strong predictor for future health (Hart & Matsuba 2007; Scheff 2014; Breidablik 2008). The

combined association of pride, shame and SRH is not well examined. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between pride, shame and SRH in adolescence.

Methods:

• The study sample: 705 adolescents in Sweden aged 17-18 years (318 boys and 387 girls)

• Questionnaire: self-rated health, shame and pride, as well as other health related questions.

• An index of pride and shame was created and tested in a pride-shame-model. Logistic regression analyses

(univariable - multivariable) were used to investigate associations between pride, shame and SRH, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results:

• Pride and shame separately were significantly associated with SRH among both boys and girls (p< 0.01).

• The pride-shame model showed that the odds of having lower SRH were highest among boys with lower pride-higher shame (OR 5.90, CI 95% 2.64.-13.18) and among girls with lower pride-higher shame (OR 4.35, CI 95% 2.12-8.91). • In a multivariable logistic regression analysis of the pride-shame model, the odds of having lower SRH remained

significantly associated among boys and girls with lower pride-higher shame after controlling for country of birth,

parental educational level, mood in family, having enough friends, school experience and being active in spare time associations/clubs.