Syyllisyydestään

Syyllisyydestään is a Finnish grammatical form that literally means “from one’s own guilt” or “about one’s own guilt.” In Finnish, syyllisyys denotes guilt as a moral emotion, and the suffix -stä marks origin or source. The possessive suffix -nsä/-nsä (as in syyllisyydestään) indicates that the guilt belongs to the subject of discussion. The expression is used to talk about feeling responsible for a fault or wrongdoing and about the burden of that responsibility.

In psychology, guilt is understood as a moral emotion that arises when a person believes they have violated a standard or harmed another. It often motivates reparative actions, apologies, and corrective behavior. Guilt can be adaptive, supporting social bonds and accountability; it can also become maladaptive if excessive, persistent, or disproportionate to the situation. The experience of syyllisyydestään specifically centers on the individual’s perception of their own fault and the responsibility they assume for the consequences of their actions.

The concept is commonly contrasted with shame, which concerns the self as a whole rather than a specific transgression. Whereas guilt focuses on a concrete action, shame tends to reflect on the person’s character. Cultural, familial, and personal values shape what triggers feelings of guilt and how individuals respond to them. Persistent or inappropriate guilt can contribute to mental health difficulties, including anxiety and depressive symptoms, and may require strategies for cognitive reframing, forgiveness, or professional support.

Coping with guilt often involves acknowledging the harm, making amends, learning from the situation, and practicing self-forgiveness. Therapeutic approaches may include cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness, and forgiveness processes. See also: syyllisyys, häpeä, vastuullisuus.