Version 1
: Received: 8 November 2023 / Approved: 8 November 2023 / Online: 9 November 2023 (07:24:17 CET)
How to cite:
Neumann*, M.; Hesse, C.; Möhrmann, M.; Lumma, A.; Edelhäuser, F. Feelings of Guilt as Experienced by Vegans – a Large-Scale Qualitative Study. Preprints2023, 2023110574. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.0574.v1
Neumann*, M.; Hesse, C.; Möhrmann, M.; Lumma, A.; Edelhäuser, F. Feelings of Guilt as Experienced by Vegans – a Large-Scale Qualitative Study. Preprints 2023, 2023110574. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.0574.v1
Neumann*, M.; Hesse, C.; Möhrmann, M.; Lumma, A.; Edelhäuser, F. Feelings of Guilt as Experienced by Vegans – a Large-Scale Qualitative Study. Preprints2023, 2023110574. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.0574.v1
APA Style
Neumann*, M., Hesse, C., Möhrmann, M., Lumma, A., & Edelhäuser, F. (2023). Feelings of Guilt as Experienced by Vegans – a Large-Scale Qualitative Study. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.0574.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Neumann*, M., Anna-Lena Lumma and Friedrich Edelhäuser. 2023 "Feelings of Guilt as Experienced by Vegans – a Large-Scale Qualitative Study" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.0574.v1
Abstract
As ethically motivated vegans (EMV) frequently feel responsible for suffering caused by the consumption of animal products, feelings of guilt are therefore an important issue for many of them. To date, studies on the experience and handling of guilt in vegans have rarely been identified. Therefore, we investigated this topic using a qualitative design. N=64 interviews with N=57 EMV were analyzed using content analysis. Key results are that they perceive guilt as a psychological and sometimes even as a physical influencing factor. They describe how feelings of guilt arise in combination with anger, revulsion and pity thereby affecting their thinking and behavior. Some experience even corporal strain, a physical heaviness. Others helped the transition to a vegan diet to get rid of guilt and to feel emotional and partially also physical relieve. In contrast, others were faced with new problems: no dissociation from other people’s guilt, heightened awareness of one’s own perception, more compassion, and a stronger sense of responsibility. Some even registered an increased tendency to depression and self-destructive thoughts. Beyond its limitations, our study is one of the first illustrating the possible impact of feelings of guilt on mental and physical well-being EMV may sense and suffer from.
Public Health and Healthcare, Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
