Chronic shame may be involved in the relationship between SSS and health since SSS and chronic shame have similar psychological, physiological, and health correlates including low self-esteem (Cook, 1991; Euteneuer, 2014; Kan et al., 2014; Turner, 2014), elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) which is a marker of inflammation (John-Henderson et al., 2013; Rohleder et al., 2008; Saxton et al., 2011), depression (Andrews et al., 2002; Nicklett & Burgard, 2009; Rohleder et al., 2008; Singh-Manoux et al., 2005), and SRH (Lamont, 2015; Singh-Manoux et al., 2005; Thompson et al., 2014). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and major depressive disorder.