The Effect of Shame and Trauma on Substance Use Behavior

Abstract

Young adults who have experienced many traumatic events in their childhood tend to have high frequencies of substance use, but does shame mediate the association between trauma and substance use? Shame is the feeling of inferiority and self-blaming, and it can often inhibit an individual's personal relationships and self-concept of identity. We frequently see it experienced in people who struggle with substance use disorders, shame can often become a means to cope. Especially in college age children, where shame-proneness is heavily associated with substance use problems. This empirical study uses self-report questionaries to assess frequencies of these variables. The study was conducted at a public, northeastern liberal arts college and 42 participants were recruited from the Psychology Participant Pool. They reported their levels of shame, exposure to community violence and frequency of substance use. The average age of sample was 19.71 years (range = 18-25). Self-reported ethnicities were White (40.9%) , Hispanic (20.5%), Multiracial (18.2%), Asian (11.4%), and Black (4.1%). Self-reported sexualities were Heterosexual (61.4%), Bisexual (20.5%) , Homosexual (11.36%) and other (6.8%). Self-reported genders were Female (69.8%), Non-binary (16.3%), Male (11.6%) and Transgender Male (2.3%). The results of the study supported previous research with all three variables having a significant positive association with each other. More exposure to trauma in childhood is associated with higher levels of shame in college; higher levels of shame in college was associated with more substance use, specifically marijuana use. This research suggests that shame needs to be recognized as an impactful emotional and cognitive response to substance use and trauma. It should also become implemented into treatment programs for trauma and addiction recovery. Keywords: Shame, Trauma, Substance Use