SUBJECTIVE AND EXPERIENTIAL CORRELATES OF GUILT IN DAILY-LIFE

Study 1 examined everyday guilt with an experience sampling method. Mi ld guilt feelings were common in this adult sample, although strong or severe guilt feelings were rare. Guilt feelings were positively corre lated with aversive arousal states and were negatively correlated with pleasant, relaxed states. Guilt feelings were fairly evenly distribut ed across a broad range of activities and thought patterns with the ex ception that thinking about self in relation to others was associated with especially high frequencies of guilt. Guilt was linked to social distress, such as interpersonal conflict, rejection, and loneliness, a s well as to feelings of uncertainty. In Study 2, guilt was found to b e more linked to interpersonal circumstances and close relationships t han a variety of other negative affective states. The results generall y support theoretical views of guilt as relevant to action control and interpersonal relations.