Shame has crippling effects on the human psyche, but until Gershen Kaufman's breakthrough study was first published over a decade ago, this basic human experience was virtually neglected as a factor in mental health. Since then, there has been an explosion of interest in the topic. In this revised and expanded third edition, Kaufman clarifies the role shame plays in connection with dysfunctional family systems, childhood sexual abuse, addiction recovery, and, in an entirely new section, he extends shame theory in new directions: shame in relation to aging and disability; the school and work settings; culture and gender; and sexual orientation and gay/lesbian identity. The final chapter explores how affect in general and shame in particular manifest themselves in war and international relations. |