Trauma-related self-conscious emotions inventory (TRSCEI): Distinguishing shame and guilt

Existing measures of trauma-related emotions do not adequately differentiate between Shame and Guilt nor address their action tendencies. In this study, we developed a novel measure of trauma-related Shame and Guilt, the Trauma-Related Self-Conscious Emotions Inventory (TRSCEI). Seven hundred forty-seven trauma-exposed individuals responded to the survey. We generated items through an extensive literature review and investigated their dimensionality through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Shame and Guilt scales presented a bi-dimensional structure corresponding to appraisals and action impulses. The four-correlated model is invariant for gender, race, and PTSD cut-off. TRSCEI is related to posttraumatic cognitions, PTSD, and complex PTSD. When controlling for action impulses of Guilt, responsibility appraisals are not significantly associated with the majority of PTSD symptoms.