Burdening guilt: Theoretical and clinical features

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the theoretical and clinical features of burdening guilt according to control-mastery theory (CMT), an integrative, relational cognitive-dynamic theory of mental functioning, psychopathology, and psychotherapy. CMT posits that burdening guilt stems from the belief that one’s emotions, needs, and way of being are a burden to significant others. After having introduced some research data about the belief of being a burden to others, we will point out how CMT explains this belief in light of a coherent theory of development, emphasizing its connection with early traumatic or adverse experiences with caregivers that give rise to the formation of pathogenic beliefs. These beliefs are mostly unconscious, and influence the way people make sense of themselves and their reality, giving rise to symptoms, inhibitions, and maladaptive personality traits that obstruct the achievement of healthy and adaptive goals. We will then compare burdening guilt with omnipotent responsibility guilt and self-hate, highlighting the points of contact and the differences between these types of interpersonal guilt. Subsequently, we will point out the “double nature” of burdening guilt, describing how it represents both a self-blame for what one is, and the expression of the need to take care of important others. Finally, we will propose a clinical vignette to illustrate some manifestations of burdening guilt in the therapeutic context.

Key words:

• control-mastery theory
• pathogenic beliefs
• burdening guilt
• unconscious guilt
• psychotherapy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 A study by Wilson and colleagues (2017) showed some differences between the two concepts that are not relevant to the purpose of this paper; for this reason, we will refer to them indistinctly.

2 Rachel’s therapist was Jessica Leonardi. The clinical material has been disguised.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Francesco Gazzillo

Francesco Gazzillo, PhD, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, is associate professor of dynamic psychology at “Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy. He is a member of the International Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR), and a member of Divisions 29 and 39 of the American Psychological Association. He is also member of the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group (SFPRG). He is the author of several scientific papers published in national and international journals and author of the following books: Prospettive psicoanalitiche sulla mente umana [Psychoanalytic perspectives on human mind] (with Nino Dazzi, 2022); Fidarsi dei pazienti. Introduzione alla Control Mastery Theory [Trusting Patients. Introduction to control mastery theory] (2016); Sua maestà Masud Khan [His Majesty Masud Khan] (2008); I sabotatori interni [The internal saboteurs] (2012); Sigmund Freud. La costruzione di un sapere [Sigmund Freud. The construction of a knowledge] (with Francesca Ortu, 2013); and La personalità e i suoi disturbi [Personality and its disorders] (with Vittorio Lingiardi, 2009). Together with Nino Dazzi and Vittorio Lingiardi, he edited the volume La diagnosi in psicologia clinica [The diagnosis in clinical psychology] (2009), and he was section editor of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM-2).

Jessica Leonardi

Jessica Leonardi, PsyD, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, is a PhD student at “Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy. She is member of the Control Mastery Theory – Italian Group (CMT-IG) and the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group (SFPRG). Her main research interests are linked to psychoanalysis, control-mastery theory, and their application in clinical work.