Die Lebenszeitprävalenz von Schuldgefühlen in der deutschen Erwachsenenbevölkerung – Ergebnisse einer bundesweiten telefonischen Bevölkerungsbefragung

Zusammenfassung

Ziel Bestimmung der Lebenszeitprävalenz von Schuldgefühlen in der deutschen Erwachsenenbevölkerung basierend auf den Daten einer bundesweiten telefonischen Bevölkerungsbefragung (n = 1003; 18+ Jahre; Mai–Juni 2019).

Methodik Berechnung gewichteter Prävalenzraten mit Konfidenzintervallen (95 %-KI) und Untersuchung des Zusammenhangs mit Kofaktoren anhand multivariabler logistischer Regressionsanalysen.

Ergebnisse Die ermittelte Lebenszeitprävalenz empfundener Schuldgefühle beträgt 68,5 % (95 %-KI = 65,6–71,3). Jüngeres Alter, höhere Bildung und aktuelle depressive Symptomatik waren mit höheren Prävalenzraten assoziiert. Kein Zusammenhang zeigte sich für Geschlecht und majore Depression.

Schlussfolgerung Ein substanzieller Anteil der deutschen Erwachsenenbevölkerung hat schon einmal Schuldgefühle empfunden. Weiterer Forschungsbedarf besteht v. a. zu der Frage, inwieweit Schuldgefühle zu einem erhöhten Depressionsrisiko beitragen und nicht nur als Kriterium für die Störung anzusehen sind.

Abstract

Objective To provide information on lifetime prevalence of feelings of guilt in the German adult population based on data from a nation-wide telephone survey (n = 1.003; 18+ years; May–June 2019).

Methods We calculated weighted lifetime prevalence rates with confidence intervals (95 %-CI) and used multivariable logistic regression analyses to evaluate the association of guilt feelings with covariates.

Results We identified a weighted lifetime prevalence of experienced feelings of guilt of 68.5 % (95 %-CI = 65.6–71.3). Younger age, higher education and current depressive symptoms were associated with higher prevalence rates. No association was found with regard to gender and major depression.

Conclusion A substantial part of the adult population experienced some sort of guilt feelings in their lives. Further research efforts are required to answer the question whether feelings of guilt are only a criterion of depression or whether they may contribute to an increased risk of the disorder.

Schlüsselwörter

Schuldgefühle - Lebenszeitprävalenz - Erwachsenenalter - majore Depression - Epidemiologie

Keywords

feelings of guilt - lifetime prevalence - adults - major depression - epidemiology

Publication History

Article published online:
03 December 2020

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