A short version of the state shame and guilt scale (SSGS-8)

Shame and guilt are crucial emotions regulating individuals' interactions with the surrounding environment as well as social relations and the development of the self. However, regardless of their importance, the debate about the selection of quantitative empirical measures in contexts requiring an assessment of both emotions remains still open. The present study examines the reliability and validity of the Italian short version of the State Shame and Guilt Scale (SSGS-8) in a sample of undergraduate students. Confirmatory factor analyses suggested a robust model of measurement with good psychometric properties, and it confirmed the two-factor structure composed by Shame and Guilt. The results of the study supported the adoption of the Italian version of the SSGS-8 scale as a reliable tool to assess shame and guilt in Italian-speaking populations. In this perspective, SSGS-8 could be adopted in training programs and clinical contexts.