Experiences of Humiliation and Shame: A Psychosocial Analysis in Contexts of Poverty

Abstract

This chapter aims to understand the experiences of humiliation and the feeling of shame of people in conditions of poverty in a rural and an urban community in the state of Ceará, Brazil. A mixed methodology was carried out with the application of questionnaires and focus groups. In the experiences of humiliation, it was identified that the main reasons are related to deprivation of income, education, and community of residence. These three aspects are related to a situation of poverty, being part of a reality of deprivation and stigmatization. It was also observed a difficulty in reporting these experiences, because there is a return of suffering linked to the feeling of shame for being poor.