Table 3.
Frequency and percentage of stated reasons for feeling guilty per supercategory/category (n = 604)
| Supercategory/category | By gender | By age | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male participants | Female participants | *1 | 18–29 years | 30–44 years | 45–59 years | 60 years or older | ||
| No. of stated reasons (%) | No. of stated reasons (%) | No. of stated reasons (%) | No. of stated reasons (%) | No. of stated reasons (%) | No. of stated reasons (%) | No. of stated reasons (%) | No. of stated reasons (%) | |
| 1 Feelings of guilt related to partner/spouse | 79 (13.8) | 75 (8.1) | 1 (6.3) | 24 (6.6) | 56 (11.9) | 33 (9.6) | 42 (12.6) | 155 (10.2) |
| 1.1 Divorce/break up | 23 (4.0) | 25 (2.7) | 0 (0.0) | 5 (1.4) | 17 (3.6) | 9 (2.6) | 17 (5.1) | 48 (3.2) |
| 1.2 Cheating/having affair(s) | 25 (4.4) | 23 (2.5) | 0 (0.0) | 9 (2.5) | 20 (4.2) | 6 (1.7) | 13 (3.9) | 48 (3.2) |
| 1.3 Changing/lacking feelings in relationship/marriage | 5 (0.9) | 6 (0.6) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.8) | 3 (0.6) | 4 (1.2) | 1 (0.3) | 11 (0.7) |
| 1.4 Problems/issues in relationship/marriage (general; other than 1.1–1.3) | 26 (4.5) | 21 (2.3) | 1 (6.3) | 7 (1.9) | 16 (3.4) | 14 (4.1) | 11 (3.3) | 48 (3.2) |
| 2 Feelings of guilt related to child(ren) | 27 (4.7) | 96 (10.4) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (1.1) | 33 (7.0) | 41 (11.9) | 45 (13.5) | 123 (8.1) |
| 2.1 Termination of contact to child(ren) | 3 (0.5) | 2 (0.2) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 4 (1.2) | 5 (0.3) |
| 2.2 Not spending (enough) time with child(ren)/Not taking (enough) care of child(ren)/not being there for child(ren) | 11 (1.9) | 30 (3.2) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 11 (2.3) | 15 (4.3) | 14 (4.2) | 41 (2.7) |
| 2.3 Faults in education/misbehavior towards child(ren) | 5 (0.9) | 31 (3.3) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.8) | 7 (1.5) | 12 (3.5) | 14 (4.2) | 36 (2.4) |
| 2.4 Certain living conditions of child(ren) | 6 (1.0) | 17 (1.8) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 10 (2.1) | 7 (2.0) | 6 (1.8) | 23 (1.5) |
| 2.5 Other/unspecific reasons for feelings of guilt towards child(ren) | 2 (0.3) | 16 (1.7) | 0 (0) | 0 (0.0) | 5 (1.1) | 6 (1.7) | 7 (2.1) | 18 (1.2) |
| 3 Feelings of guilt related to family (members) | 62 (10.8) | 143 (15.4) | 4 (25.0) | 31 (8.5) | 64 (13.6) | 55 (15.9) | 59 (17.7) | 209 (13.8) |
| 3.1 Termination of contact to family (members) | 3 (0.5) | 5 (0.5) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.6) | 2 (0.6) | 3 (0.9) | 8 (0.5) |
| 3.2 Not spending (enough) time with family (members)/Not taking (enough) care of family (members)/not being there for family (members) | 28 (4.9) | 71 (7.7) | 2 (12.5) | 15 (4.1) | 29 (6.1) | 29 (8.4) | 28 (8.4) | 101 (6.7) |
| 3.3 Misbehavior towards/bad thinking of family (members) | 7 (1.2) | 18 (1.9) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (0.5) | 8 (1.7) | 5 (1.4) | 10 (3.0) | 25 (1.7) |
| 3.4 Conflict/argument with family (members) | 7 (1.2) | 14 (1.5) | 0 (0.0) | 5 (1.4) | 6 (1.3) | 6 (1.7) | 4 (1.2) | 21 (1.4) |
| 3.5 Disappointing/belying expectations of family (members) | 7 (1.2) | 18 (1.9) | 2 (12.5) | 7 (1.9) | 9 (1.9) | 7 (2.0) | 4 (1.2) | 27 (1.8) |
| 3.6 Certain living conditions of family (members) | 4 (0.7) | 4 (0.4) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 1 (0.2) | 3 (0.9) | 3 (0.9) | 8 (0.5) |
| 3.7 Other/unspecific reasons for feelings of guilt towards family (members) | 6 (1.0) | 13 (1.4) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 8 (1.7) | 3 (0.9) | 7 (2.1) | 19 (1.3) |
| 4 Feelings of guilt related to other people (not specifically spouse/partner, children or family members) | 79 (13.8) | 148 (16.0) | 3 (18.8) | 88 (24.1) | 68 (14.4) | 50 (14.5) | 24 (7.2) | 230 (15.2) |
| 4.1 Neglecting someone/not taking (enough) care of someone/not being there for someone | 13 (2.3) | 44 (4.8) | 0 (0.0) | 18 (4.9) | 16 (3.4) | 15 (4.3) | 8 (2.4) | 57 (3.8) |
| 4.2 Misbehavior towards/bad thinking of someone | 43 (7.5) | 50 (5.4) | 3 (18.8) | 44 (12.1) | 24 (5.1) | 21 (6.1) | 7 (2.1) | 96 (6.3) |
| 4.3 Conflict/argument/communication problem with someone | 8 (1.4) | 12 (1.3) | 0 (0.0) | 7 (1.9) | 8 (1.7) | 5 (1.4) | 0 (0.0) | 20 (1.3) |
| 4.4 Disappointing/Belying expectations of someone | 4 (0.7) | 13 (1.4) | 0 (0.0) | 7 (1.9) | 8 (1.7) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (0.6) | 17 (1.1) |
| 4.5 Not helping someone | 5 (0.9) | 15 (1.6) | 0 (0.0) | 9 (2.5) | 4 (0.8) | 4 (1.2) | 3 (0.9) | 20 (1.3) |
| 4.6 Feelings of guilt related to people at work (colleagues, employees, superiors, clients, customers etc.) | 6 (1.0) | 14 (1.5) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.8) | 8 (1.7) | 5 (1.4) | 4 (1.2) | 20 (1.3) |
| 5 Feelings of guilt related to animals2 | 5 (0.9) | 26 (2.8) | 0 (0.0) | 7 (1.9) | 7 (1.5) | 8 (2.3) | 9 (2.7) | 31 (2.0) |
| 6 Feelings of guilt related to a subjectively perceived responsibility | 37 (6.5) | 92 (9.9) | 2 (12.5) | 32 (8.8) | 23 (4.9) | 41 (11.9) | 35 (10.5) | 131 (8.6) |
| 6.1 For life (situations, events, circumstances) and death (circumstances) of others/for not being able to help/support | 18 (3.1) | 55 (5.9) | 0 (0.0) | 23 (6.3) | 10 (2.1) | 19 (5.5) | 21 (6.3) | 73 (4.8) |
| 6.2 For own diseases/own disorders/own traumatic experiences | 4 (0.7) | 20 (2.2) | 1 (6.3) | 4 (1.1) | 9 (1.9) | 7 (2.0) | 5 (1.5) | 25 (1.7) |
| 6.3 For surviving | 0 (0.0) | 2 (0.2) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 1 (0.3) | 2 (0.1) |
| 6.4 For having a better life than other people/Doing not enough against the problems on the world | 15 (2.6) | 15 (1.6) | 1 (6.3) | 5 (1.4) | 4 (0.8) | 14 (4.1) | 8 (2.4) | 31 (2.0) |
| 7 Feelings of guilt related to religious beliefs (committing sins; misconduct in the eyes of God)2 | 2 (0.3) | 4 (0.4) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.8) | 1 (0.2) | 1 (0.3) | 1 (0.3) | 6 (0.4) |
| 8 Feelings of guilt related to certain circumstances | 38 (6.6) | 36 (3.9) | 2 (12.5) | 19 (5.2) | 24 (5.1) | 23 (6.7) | 10 (3.0) | 76 (5.0) |
| 8.1 Being dependent on someone | 0 (0.0) | 6 (0.6) | 2 (12.5) | 6 (1.6) | 1 (0.2) | 1 (0.3) | 0 (0.0) | 8 (0.5) |
| 8.2 Financial situation/debts/handling of finances | 18 (3.1) | 8 (0.9) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (0.5) | 7 (1.5) | 12 (3.5) | 5 (1.5) | 26 (1.7) |
| 8.3 Situation/problems at work | 16 (2.8) | 16 (1.7) | 0 (0.0) | 10 (2.7) | 14 (3.0) | 6 (1.7) | 2 (0.6) | 32 (2.1) |
| 8.4 Unemployment/incapacity for work/early retirement | 4 (0.7) | 6 (0.6) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 2 (0.4) | 4 (1.2) | 3 (0.9) | 10 (0.7) |
| 9 Feelings of guilt related to misconduct/mistakes being made | 111 (19.4) | 107 (11.6) | 1 (6.3) | 75 (20.5) | 80 (16.9) | 35 (10.1) | 29 (8.7) | 219 (14.5) |
| 9.1 Stealing something | 7 (1.2) | 7 (0.8) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (1.1) | 4 (0.8) | 1 (0.3) | 5 (1.5) | 14 (0.9) |
| 9.2 Criminal acts/infringement (not or not specifically stealing) | 9 (1.6) | 3 (0.3) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (0.5) | 4 (0.8) | 1 (0.3) | 5 (1.5) | 12 (0.8) |
| 9.3 Telling lies/withholding truth/information | 48 (8.4) | 71 (7.7) | 1 (6.3) | 46 (12.6) | 44 (9.3) | 20 (5.8) | 10 (3.0) | 120 (7.9) |
| 9.4 Betraying someone/being indiscrete/committing a breach of confidence | 8 (1.4) | 2 (0.2) | 0 (0.0) | 5 (1.4) | 3 (0.6) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (0.6) | 10 (0.7) |
| 9.5 Self-inflicted accidents/damages | 16 (2.8) | 8 (0.9) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.8) | 11 (2.3) | 6 (1.7) | 4 (1.2) | 24 (1.6) |
| 9.6 Other/unspecific misconduct/mistakes being made | 23 (4.0) | 16 (1.7) | 0 (0.0) | 15 (4.1) | 14 (3.0) | 7 (2.0) | 3 (0.9) | 39 (2.6) |
| 10 Feelings of guilt related to decisions (having made bad/ wrong decisions; regretting decisions; being uncertain about decisions)2 | 12 (2.1) | 22 (2.4) | 0 (0.0) | 5 (1.4) | 13 (2.8) | 7 (2.0) | 9 (2.7) | 34 (2.2) |
| 11 Feelings of guilt related to negative self-attributions/flaws | 101 (17.6) | 146 (15.8) | 3 (18.8) | 67 (18.4) | 82 (17.4) | 41 (11.9) | 60 (18.0) | 250 (16.5) |
| 11.1 Not achieving something/failure | 19 (3.3) | 36 (3.9) | 2 (12.5) | 13 (3.6) | 18 (3.8) | 10 (2.9) | 16 (4.8) | 57 (3.8) |
| 11.2 Procrastination/waste of time/being lazy/inactive/powerless/ unmotivated | 13 (2.3) | 26 (2.8) | 1 (6.3) | 13 (3.6) | 13 (2.8) | 4 (1.2) | 10 (3.0) | 40 (2.6) |
| 11.3 Unfavourable health behavior/self-indulgence | 21 (3.7) | 19 (2.1) | 0 (0.0) | 5 (1.4) | 12 (2.5) | 10 (2.9) | 13 (3.9) | 40 (2.6) |
| 11.4 Being unable to cope with something | 2 (0.3) | 3 (0.3) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 1 (0.2) | 2 (0.6) | 1 (0.3) | 5 (0.3) |
| 11.5 Being unpunctional/unreliable/forgetful | 7 (1.2) | 11 (1.2) | 0 (0.0) | 7 (1.9) | 7 (1.5) | 2 (0.6) | 2 (0.6) | 18 (1.2) |
| 11.6 Being selfish/egoistic/egocentric | 3 (0.5) | 5 (0.5) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 6 (1.3) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 8 (0.5) |
| 11.7 Being not empathetic | 1 (0.2) | 4 (0.4) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (0.4) | 1 (0.3) | 2 (0.6) | 5 (0.3) |
| 11.8 Being unfair | 3 (0.5) | 1 (0.1) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.6) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.3) | 4 (0.3) |
| 11.9 Being envious/jealous | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.3) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.8) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.2) |
| 11.10 Being impulsive/angry | 3 (0.5) | 6 (0.6) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (0.5) | 2 (0.4) | 3 (0.9) | 2 (0.6) | 9 (0.6) |
| 11.11 Being anxious | 4 (0.7) | 3 (0.3) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.8) | 1 (0.2) | 2 (0.6) | 1 (0.3) | 7 (0.5) |
| 11.12 Being dissatisfied | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.3) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.8) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (0.2) |
| 11.13 Other/unspecific negative self-attributions/flaws | 25 (4.4) | 26 (2.8) | 0 (0.0) | 16 (4.4) | 17 (3.6) | 7 (2.0) | 11 (3.3) | 51 (3.4) |
| 12 General, unspecific, or vaguely formulated reasons for feelings of guilt2 | 20 (3.5) | 31 (3.3) | 0 (0.0) | 10 (2.7) | 21 (4.4) | 10 (2.9) | 10 (3.0) | 51 (3.4) |
| Total number of stated reasons | 573 (100) | 926 (100) | 16 (100) | 365 (100) | 472 (100) | 345 (100) | 333 (100) | 1515 (100) |
Bold text refers to the supercategories of reasons for feeling guilty
*1Participants without personal identification with a particular gender
2Supercategories that could not be further divided into categories