Relation of perfectionism and self forgiveness: The mediating role of shame and guilt feeling

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of shame and guilt feeling in the relation of perfectionism and self forgiveness. Participants were 241 (131 girls and 110 boys) students of Shiraz University which were selected using the multistage cluster sampling method. Data collection tools consisted of the Inventory of perfectionism, Measure of guilt and shame proneness and forgiveness questionnaire. For analyzing the research model, path analysis in Amos software was used. Results showed that positive and negative perfectionism predicted self forgiveness both directly and indirectly through shame and guilt feeling. Components of perfectionism predict self forgiveness through guilt feeling positively and through shame feeling negatively. Conclusively, results of this study showed that guilt feeling has a compatible role in moral behavior like self forgiveness.