Final answer:
Victor's health is negatively affected by his massive sense of guilt, leading to depression, aligning with the psychological view that unresolved emotions like guilt can cause depressive states.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Victor's Emotional State
The term that best fills in the blank in the statement "Victor's health suffers as a result of his massive sense of _________ and the bleak depression that accompanies it" is guilt. Victor's overwhelming sense of guilt and the resulting depression significantly impact his well-being. This concept aligns with psychological perspectives on emotion and mental health, such as those expressed in Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development, which suggest that unresolved emotional issues, such as guilt, can lead to feelings of despair and depressive states.