Strategies of adults for dealing with feelings of guilt - findings from a large web-based survey.

Background: Feelings of guilt are common in adulthood. Depending on the situation, individuals need different strategies for dealing with these usually unpleasant experiences. The aim of this study was to provide comprehensive empirical information about such different guilt-related strategies used in adulthood.

Participants and procedure: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted (05/2019-04/2020) collecting autobiographical information on guilt experiences. Stated strategies for dealing with feelings of guilt were classified into inductively defined categories, and the frequency of the categorized strategies was calculated (total, gender-, age-specific). Associations between applied strategies and gender and age were analyzed using Cramér's φ and V as appropriate.

Results: Analyzing statements of 579 participants (18-84 years), we differentiated 34 different categories of guilt-related strategies. The most frequently used strategies were "Self-reflection; contemplation; analyzing/reviewing things one feels guilty about" and "Repressing/ignoring/(actively) forgetting/not thinking about/bottling up the feelings of guilt". Female and male participants showed a significantly different use only in the strategy of utilizing "Professional support/therapy/counseling" (10.57% vs. 3.67%; Cramér's φ = .13, p = .001). Additionally, only a few differences were found with regard to age.

Conclusions: Adults use a broad variety of different strategies for dealing with feelings of guilt. Strategies regulating emotional responses to the problem causing feelings of guilt seem to be at least as important as strategies targeting the problem itself. Many strategies do not serve pro-social functions. Feelings of guilt are an issue relevant for mental health care since several of the adults with feelings of guilt utilize professional help, and an even higher number may need such help.