This volume combines empirical research-based and theoretical perspectives on shame in cultural contexts and from socio-culturally different perspectives, providing new insights and a more comprehensive cultural base for contemporary research and practice in the context of shame. It examines shame from a positive psychology perspective, from the angle of defining the concept as a psychological and cultural construct, and with regard to practical perspectives on shame across cultures. The volume provides sound foundations for researchers and practitioners to develop new models, therapies and counseling practices to redefine and re-frame shame in a way that leads to strength, resilience and empowerment of the individual.

Elisabeth Vanderheiden, pedagogue, theologian, mediator, managing director of the Catholic Adult Education Rhineland-Palatinate and the federal chairman of the Catholic Adult Education Germany. She has published articles in the context of vocational qualifications, in particular qualification of teachers and trainers, as well as current topics of general, vocational and civic education and intercultural opening processes. ClaudeHélène Mayer is an adjunct professor at the European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, and a Senior Research Associate at the Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa. She has published several monographs, text collections, journal articles and special issues on mental health and wellbeing, conflict management and mediation in transcultural contexts, healthrelated and wellbeing and women in leadership.