The moderating role of self-compassion and the mediating role of shame and guilt in the relationship between parentification and depression

This study aimed to examine the impact of childhood parentification experiences on adult depressive symptoms, the mediating roles of shame and guilt, and the moderating role of self-compassion. An online correlational study was conducted with 404 adults from Turkey, utilizing the Parentification Inventory, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) Short Form, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Trait Shame and Guilt Scale. Findings indicated that higher levels of parent-focused and sibling-focused parentification significantly increased depressive symptoms. This relationship was fully mediated by increased feelings of shame and guilt, where the direct effect of parentification on depression became non-significant when these emotions were included. Conversely, perceived benefit and adjustment from the parentification process were associated with lower depressive symptoms, with shame and guilt partially mediating this relationship. Although self-compassion showed a strong negative correlation with depression, its expected moderating effect on the relationship between parentification and depression was not statistically significant. These results highlight that the effects of parentification experiences on mental health are shaped not only by assumed roles but also by internalized emotions such as shame and guilt. Thus, interventions for individuals with a history of parentification should emphasize addressing these emotional processes.