Guilt and Its Multidimensionality: Empirical Approaches Using Klein’s View

After examining the definitions of persecutory and penitential types of guilt, based on Melanie Klein’s view, we developed a single–item measure of these types and examined reliability and validity of the measure in three studies. Concurrent validity of the measure was shown among a university student population using the Test of Self–Conscious Affect–3 as an external validator. The questionnaire was not influenced by a socially desirable response style. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by studying different external variables: the two types of guilt feelings are moderately correlated with each other, but penitential guilt is more strongly correlated to variables related to ego maturation. Test–retest stability is only modest, suggesting that the constructs of measured guilt feelings may fluctuate over time.