A Comparison of Affective-Cognitive States in Daily Life Between Emerging Adults With and Without Past-Year Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Although the literature suggests trait-like differences in affective and cognitive vulnerabilities between individuals with and without a history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), little is known about how these dispositional differences are experienced in the natural environment. The present study compares the intensity, inertia, interaction, and variability of affective (negative and positive affect) and cognitive states (rumination, self-criticism) in the everyday lives of individuals who do and do not engage in NSSI. Using experience sampling methodology (ESM), 60 emerging adults (ages = 18-22 years) with and without past-year NSSI (equally distributed) completed eight questionnaires per day for 12 days (in total, 96 questionnaires per participant), resulting in 4,587 assessments (median compliance = 83.3%; IQR = 71.9-91.7). In a dynamic structural equation modeling framework, dynamic parameters (i.e., mean intensity, carryover effects, spillover effects, and within-person variability) were evaluated using multilevel vector autoregressive models. Emerging adults who engage in NSSI experience higher intensity and greater variability of negative affect, rumination, and self-criticism, whereas those who do not engage in NSSI experience higher intensity and lower variability of positive affect. In addition, past-year NSSI predicted stronger affective-cognitive interactions over time, with stronger spillover effects of negative and positive affect on subsequent rumination and self-criticism in individuals who engage in NSSI. Depressive symptoms and trait levels of emotion dysregulation and self-criticism partially negated these differences. Our findings provide evidence that emerging adults who self-injure experience more negative affective-cognitive states in daily life and point to the potential relevance of boosting positive emotions to buffer negative cognitions.

Psychological distress in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome: the roles of body image and self-criticism

Objective

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder associated with reduced quality of life and psychological distress (PD) including anxiety and depression. The mechanisms linking IBS to PD are unclear. Previous studies showed that body image and self-criticism may be contributory factors. Thus, the objective of this study was to test the potential mediating roles of these factors in the relationship between IBS and PD.

Method

507 adults participated, including 142 with IBS (Mean age = 31.9, SD = 11.7), and 365 healthy peers (Mean age = 26.2, SD = 6.4), ranging in age from 18 to 75. The majority of participants were women (78%). Self-report measures assessed IBS status, body appreciation, body dissatisfaction, self-criticism, sociodemographic status, depression, and anxiety. Path analysis tested the hypothesized mediation model.

Results

IBS participants reported greater PD, lower body appreciation, higher body dissatisfaction, and higher self-criticism than controls. Body appreciation and self-criticism sequentially mediated the link between IBS status and both depression and anxiety. IBS was associated with reduced body appreciation, which in turn was linked to heightened self-criticism, thereby leading to elevated psychological distress.

Conclusion

Results suggest IBS negatively impacts body image appreciation, fostering self-critical judgments that exacerbate psychological symptoms. This study is the first to demonstrate a significant association between body appreciation and IBS, specifically highlighting this relationship. Findings clarify the psychosocial pathways at play in the comorbidity of mental health issues in IBS. Physicians and other health professionals are advised to detect women with IBS who are distressed, and to offer them appropriate intervention to prevent downstream consequences.

A meta-analysis of disordered eating and its association with self-criticism and self-compassion

OBJECTIVE

Future treatments for eating disorders (ED) need to be enhanced by targeting maintaining mechanisms. Literature suggests self-criticism and self-critical perfectionism act as key mechanisms exacerbating ED, and self-compassion protects against self-criticism. This meta-analysis examines associations between self-criticism and self-critical perfectionism on disordered eating (DE), and reviews how self-compassion and self-criticism relate to each other with respect to DE.

METHOD

Searches across three databases yielded 135 studies across 42,952 participants. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and quality assessments were analyzed. Moderation analyses between self-criticism measures, self-compassion measures, between clinical and nonclinical samples, and between cross-sectional and experimental studies were also conducted.

RESULTS

Random-effects models showed a medium positive link between self-criticism and DE (r = .37), and 10 subgroups pertaining to various measures of self-criticism utilized in literature showed small to large positive links with DE (r = .20-.52). Preliminary evidence also suggests negative relationships between self-compassion and DE (r = -.40 to -.43) and negative relationships between self-compassion and self-criticism (r = -.04 to -.88).

DISCUSSION

Greater levels of self-criticism is linked with greater levels of DE and reduced levels of self-compassion, suggesting a need to tackle self-criticism and nurture self-compassion in standard treatments for ED. Understanding these interactions better in conjunction with dismantling intervention studies can help develop more effective and efficient interventions targeting self-criticism and self-compassion for people with DE.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Higher levels of self-criticism are linked with higher levels of DE and lower self-compassion. Self-compassion interventions could be more effective and efficient in reducing ED symptoms if self-criticism is tackled early in such treatments.

Investigating associations between self-compassion, self-criticism and psychotic-like experiences

OBJECTIVES

Dimensional approaches suggest psychotic symptoms exist along a continuum, with psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) being an expression of a non-clinical psychosis phenotype. Existing research indicates self-criticism may contribute to symptom maintenance, frequency and distress, whereas self-compassion may act protectively. Associations between self-criticism, self-compassion and PLEs in the general population have received less attention. The present study sought to investigate these associations. It was hypothesised that PLE endorsement would be associated positively with self-criticism and negatively with self-compassion.

DESIGN

Quantitative cross-sectional study. Data collected via an online questionnaire.

METHODS

Five hundred thirty-one participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale (Short Form), the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale and the Transpersonal Experiences Questionnaire. Individuals with a psychosis-related diagnosis were excluded. The data were analysed using linear regression, accounting for the effects of demographic variables.

RESULTS

Self-criticism subtype self-hatred was associated with PLEs. Subtype self-inadequacy was not. No association was found between self-compassion and PLEs. Educational attainment was negatively associated with PLE endorsement.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-criticism, but not self-compassion, is associated with PLE endorsement, suggesting they are separate factors with different relationships to PLEs. Further research is needed to confirm the direction of the interaction. Either way, psychological interventions (where needed) could target self-criticism and may be important in assessing psychosis risk.

Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Intimate Partner Violence: The Role of Self-Criticism, Guilt, and Gender Beliefs

Intimate partner violence (IPV) predicts anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet the role of cognition in these pathways is poorly understood. This study explored whether self-criticism, guilt, and gender beliefs predicted psychological symptoms, using self-report data from 50 Colombian female IPV survivors with diverse socioeconomic statuses. Self-criticism and guilt were high and significantly associated with IPV. Self-criticism significantly predicted depression and PTSD, whilst only guilt predicted anxiety. Traditional gender role beliefs were associated with emotional abuse, but not with self-criticism, guilt, or symptoms. In conclusion, self-criticism and guilt are important treatment targets for female IPV survivors, regardless of gender beliefs.

State of the art of the literature on definitions of self-criticism: a meta-review

Background

Several authors have developed important theoretical models on an important transdiagnostic factor in psychopathology: self-criticism (SC). Currently, there are substantial variations in the theoretical definition of SC. The lack of awareness of similarities and differences between models may in turn impact the comparison between empirical results, limiting their clinical implications.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify current trends in the field of SC and to explore whether these were approached and shaped by different conceptualizations of SC.

Methods

Core components of the most influential models of SC were identified. A meta-review was conducted searching for systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses in the following databases: PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed (all years up to 28 April 2023).

Results

Contributions were heterogeneous with respect to the definition of SC and the theoretical framework. Almost all systematic reviews poorly addressed the multidimensionality of SC. In addition, discrepancies between the definitions of SC provided and their operationalizations emerged.

Conclusions

The lack of dialogue between the different theoretical perspectives emerged from key contributions in the field of SC. Potential research questions to answer to stimulate this dialogue are proposed.

Sleep disturbance mediates the link between both self-compassion and self-criticism and psychological distress during prolonged periods of stress

Poor sleep and subsequent decline in mental health often occur during times of prolonged stress, such as a pandemic. Self-compassion is linked with improved sleep and better mental health, while self-criticism is linked with poorer sleep and psychological distress. Given there is little evidence of the interrelationships of these constructs, we examined whether higher self-compassion or lower levels of self-criticism can reduce psychological distress directly and indirectly via sleep during times of prolonged stress. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse two samples (N = 722, Study 1, and N = 622, Replication Study) of university students during different stages of the pandemic. An aggregate psychological distress construct was calculated using depression, anxiety and stress measures. We created models that showed insomnia symptoms mediated the relationship between self-compassion/self-criticism and psychological distress. Sleep partially mediated both relationships, and this was the strongest effect in both samples. This suggests that improving self-compassion and reducing self-criticism will improve sleep, leading to reduced psychological distress. As our findings are robust and held at two time points, future research should investigate broader demographics and differing stress responses.

A neural network underlying cognitive strategies related to eating, weight and body image concerns

Concerns about food intake, weight and body shape can trigger negatively loaded emotions, which may prompt the use of cognitive strategies to regulate these emotional states. A novel fMRI task was developed to assess the neurobehavioral correlates of cognitive strategies related to eating, weight and body image concerns, such as self-criticism, avoidance, rumination, and self-reassurance. Fourteen healthy females were presented audio sentences referring to these conditions and instructed to repeat these internally while engaging their thoughts with the content of food or body images. Participants were asked to report the elicited emotion and rate their performance. All cognitive strategies recruited a network including the inferior and superior frontal gyri, orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex, insula, and dorsal striatum. These brain regions are involved in emotional, reward and inhibitory control processing. Representational similarity analysis revealed distinct patterns of neural responses for each cognitive strategy. Additionally, self-report measures showed that self-criticism was positively associated with superior frontal gyrus (SFG) activation. Self-compassion scores were negatively correlated with activations in the insula and right putamen, while self-reassurance scores were negatively associated with activity in the orbitofrontal cortex. These findings identify a neural network underlying cognitive strategies related to eating, weight and body image concerns, where neurobehavioral correlation patterns depend on the cognitive strategy.

Development of self-critical abilities and values in students using digital games-based learning

Young people are the driving force of society. Therefore, the well-being of society itself depends on what values and ideals they carry into adulthood. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the values of contemporary Chinese youth in the context of their future life goals and to analyze how self-criticism shapes students' depressive tendencies with the use of digital games. This study was conducted at Shaanxi Technical College of Finance and Economics with 157 Chinese students between the ages of 18 and 25. One hundred nine girls and forty-eight boys were randomly selected for the study. The study was conducted in a Chinese cultural context using the method of experiment with a survey, statistical, and correlational data analysis. Correlation analysis showed that the correlation between self-criticism and N/NE is strong (rs ¼ 0.50-0.65), but it was most related to the positive emotional component of E/PE. Thus, no obvious and serious reasons for the development of depression in young people were found. The results showed that digital games cannot influence the development of self-critical abilities of students, however, they can be a high-quality tool in psychological work with students to determine depressive moods, an overestimated level of self-criticism, and other problems that prevent them from learning. This article has implications for further research in education, as it may provide a basis for developing and improving new methods of constructing curricula. They can be aimed at defining special attention to the psychological state of students to prevent depressive states caused by high levels of self-criticism.

The effect of virtual reality exposure therapy on focus of attention, self-criticism, and interpretation bias in university students with social anxiety

BACKGROUND

The present research aims to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy on the focus of attention, self-criticism, and interpretation bias among university students with social anxiety.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present research was conducted using quasi-experimental research with pre-test and post-test control group design. The participants were university students aged between 10 and 30 years old who had visited Isfahan counseling centers in 1399 HS. Among 53 patients referred to the counseling centers, 30 were randomly selected by convenience sampling and then assigned to an experimental group (15 individuals) and a control group (15 individuals). The experimental group received eight sessions of 30-minute and face-to-face virtual reality-based interventions. In contrast, the control group remained on the waiting list. A structured clinical interview and Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) were used to select and screen students, and the Focus of Attention Questionnaire (FAQ), Levels of Self-Criticism Scale (LOSC), and revised interpretation bias inventory were applied for the pre-test and the post-test. Then, all the data were analyzed by a statistical analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

The results showed that virtual reality exposure therapy significantly reduces the symptoms of the focus of attention, self-criticism, and interpretation bias in the experimental group compared to the control group. (P < 0/01).

CONCLUSION

The research showed that virtual reality exposure therapy reduced the symptoms of social anxiety. Therefore, this method can be applied to reduce some symptoms of social anxiety in university students.

Shame Memory's Impact on Depression among Junior Middle School Students: A Moderated Mediation Model

(1) Objective: While recent studies have shed light on the effects of shame memories on mental well-being, there is still limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms linking shame memories and depression. Based on the biopsychosocial model and cognitive therapy theory, this study examined the association between shame memory and depression and the indirect role of emotion management and self-criticism. (2) Methods: A total of 1004 junior high school students were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the event impact scale, the self-criticism scale of the depressive experiences questionnaire, and the emotional intelligence scale. (3) Results: Shame memory had a significant positive correlation with depression. The relationship between shame memory and depression was partially mediated by self-criticism. Emotional management was found to regulate the latter half of the mediating effect of shame memory on depression. (4) Conclusions: Self-criticism plays a mediating role in the relationship between shame memory and depression, as well as emotion management plays a moderating role between self-criticism and depression. This perspective will contribute to the growing body of knowledge about the impact of shame memories on depression among junior high school children but also offers a feasible plan for follow-up intervention.

A brief compassion focused therapy intervention can help self-critical parents and their children: A randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Parents can be highly self-critical of their own parenting, which can negatively impact parenting style and child outcomes.

AIMS

The aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to examine the efficacy of a brief 2-hour Compassion Focused Therapy intervention (CFT) for parents to determine if it can reduce self-criticism, improve parenting and improve child social, emotional and behavioural outcomes.

MATERIALS & METHODS

In total, 102 parents (87 mothers) were randomised to either a CFT intervention (n = 48) or waitlist control group (n = 54). Participants were measured at pre-, 2-week post-intervention and the CFT group again at 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

At 2-week post-intervention parents in the CFT group compared to waitlist control had significantly reduced levels of self-criticism, significant reductions in child emotional and peer problems, but no changes in parental style. At 3-month follow-up, these outcomes improved, with self-criticism further decreasing, parental hostility and verbosity decreasing, as well as a range of childhood improvements.

CONCLUSION

The results from this first RCT evaluation of a brief 2-hour CFT intervention for parents show promise for not only improving how parents relate to themselves with self-criticism and self-reassurance, but also for improving parenting styles and child outcomes.

The Effects of Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion on Adolescents' Depressive Symptoms and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Purpose

Symptoms of depression increase during adolescence as do nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors (NSSI). The present study aimed to investigate how self-criticism interacted with the effects of stressful life events on depressive symptoms and NSSI and whether self-compassion would buffer these negative effects.

Methods

A total of 908 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.46, SD = 0.57) completed a cross-sectional survey. The main and interacted effects of stressful life events, self-criticism, self-compassion on depressive symptoms and NSSI were examined respectively.

Results

The results showed that self-criticism significantly moderated the relationships between stressful events and depression and NSSI. Self-compassion could buffer the negative impacts of stressful events and self-criticism on NSSI but not on depression. High self-compassion significantly reduced the magnitude of the association between stressful life events and NSSI in adolescents with low self-criticism but not in those with high self-criticism.

Conclusion

Self-criticism exacerbated the negative impacts of stressful life events on both depressive symptoms and NSSI, but self-compassion only buffered the impact of stressful life events on NSSI. Interventions designed to reduce NSSI risk of Chinese adolescents may benefit from training them to improve self-compassion abilities and to be less self-critical.

Testing a diathesis-stress model during the transition to university: Associations between self-criticism, stress, and internalizing problems

ObjectiveTo test a diathesis-stress model whereby self-criticism interacts with monthly perceived stress to predict same-month or next-month internalizing problems, including depression, anxiety, nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), and suicidal ideation, in students transitioning to university. Participants: 704 students (73% female, Mage = 17.97) were recruited during their first month of university in 2017 and 2018. Methods: Students completed surveys assessing self-criticism, perceived stress, and internalizing problems from September to April. Results: Self-criticism predicted higher depression and anxiety, as well as odds of NSSI and suicidal ideation, in students' first month on campus. Consistent with a diathesis-stress model, self-criticism strengthened the associations between stress and same-month depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Self-critical students are at elevated risk of internalizing problems during the transition to university, particularly when they feel more stressed than usual. These findings elucidate which students should be targeted in interventions and when interventions should be delivered to curtail internalizing problems.

Impact of Unsolicited Negative Feedback in Academic Settings

INTRODUCTION

Appropriate feedback is crucial for quality improvement, productivity, and growth. There is a scarcity of information on the effect of unsolicited negative feedback (USNF). Our current study aimed to investigate the impact of USNF on motivation, performance, and mental well-being.

METHODS

Data was collected on a 5-point Likert scale by a survey of 10 validated questions asking the impact of USNF around three themes: 1. "Mental Health," 2. "Motivation," and 3. "Performance." The rationale of the questions was to investigate the negative emotional state and its impact on confidence, motivation, and performance of similar activities after getting USNF. Additionally, it impacts the mental state of anger, sadness, and self-criticism.

RESULTS

A total of 38 participants completed the questionnaire. The agreement after USNF was 57.8% to develop harsh or critical self-talk, 76.3% for mood changes, 57.8% helps to learn, and 63% helps to fix things received on positive feedback. A total of 86.8% need time to reflect, 76.3% need time to process, 65.78% try to avoid USNF, 31.57% start to avoid people who give USNF, and 23.68% try to prove themselves to those who give USNF. The results showed a strong correlation between a person's need for time to process emotions and demand for space to process emotions and forecasting memories after the USNF.

CONCLUSION

The psychological implications of USNF can be profound, leading to long-term negative effects on mental health, motivation, and performance. Training individuals to deliver negative feedback in a more constructive and positive manner is essential to mitigate these detrimental consequences.

Differences Between High and Low Self-Critics in Compassionate Facial Expression

The goal of this study was to identify differences between high and low self-critical participants in relation to compassionate facial expressions. Our convenience sample consisted of 151 participants aged 18-59 years old (M = 25.17; SD = 7.81). The highest and the lowest scoring participants in self-criticism were selected for final analysis (N = 35). Participants, at home alone, watched a short video stimulus eliciting compassion while their facial expressions were recorded using webcams. Out of the sample we selected the highest 10% and the lowest 10% of self-critical participants according to the Slovak norms of The Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale. Two certified Facial Action Coding System raters (FACS) coded the participants' muscular activity according to facial action units. The FACS analysis revealed that action units 4 - brow lowerer, 7 - lids tight, 43 - eyes closed, 45 - blink, 55 - head tilt left, and 56 - head tilt right occurred significantly less often in high self-critical participants than in low self-critical participants, controlling for the difference between the baseline and compassionate moments in the video stimulus. Our research found that participants high in self-criticism were less facially expressive than those low in self-critical when watching compassionate video.

Non-suicidal self-injury in a college sample: Intrapersonal and family factors

Objective: Adolescents and young adults are at risk for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behavior. This study examined intrapersonal (depressive symptoms, self-criticism) and family (perceived family functioning, parenting style, parental attachment) factors associated with reported history of NSSI in a college sample. Method: Participants included 111 undergraduate students (M_age = 20.2) from a private, nonprofit university. Data were collected via online survey. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results: The final model was statically significant, Nagelkerke R² = .40, suggesting a robust association between the predictors and history of NSSI. Self-criticism and unhealthy family functioning were significant predictors of NSSI behaviors after controlling for study variables and demographic characteristics. Reported history of engaging in NSSI was positively correlated with parent alienation, unhealthy family functioning, self-criticizing behaviors, and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: College mental health providers should be familiar with risk factors of NSSI as well as strategies to address self-criticism.

Automated facial expression analysis of participants self-criticising via the two-chair technique: exploring facial behavioral markers of self-criticism

Introduction

As self-rating scales are prone to many measurement distortions, there is a growing call for more objective measures based on physiological or behavioural indicators. Self-criticism is one of the major transdiagnostic factor of all mental disorders therefore it is important to be able to distinguish what are the characteristic facial features of self-criticizing. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no automated facial emotion expression analysis of participants self-criticising via the two-chair technique. The aim of this study was to detect which action units of facial expressions were significantly more often present in participants performing self-criticism using the two-chair technique. The broader goal was to contribute to the scientific knowledge on objective behavioural descriptions of self-criticism and to provide an additional diagnostic means to the existing self-rating scales by exploring facial behavioral markers of self-criticism.

Methods

The non-clinical sample consisted of 80 participants (20 men and 60 women) aged 19 years to 57 years (M = 23.86; SD = 5.98). In the analysis we used iMotions's Affectiva AFFDEX module (Version 8.1) to classify the participants' actions units from the self-criticising videos. For the statistical analysis we used a multilevel model to account for the repeated-measures design.

Results

Based on the significant results the self-critical facial expression may therefore comprise the following action units: Dimpler, Lip Press, Eye Closure, Jaw Drop, and Outer Brow Raise, which are related to contempt, fear, and embarrassment or shame; and Eye Closure and Eye Widen (in rapid sequence Blink), which are a sign that highly negative stimuli are being emotionally processed.

Discussion

The research study need to be further analysed using clinical samples to compare the results.

Effect of compassion-focused therapy on self-criticism and self-soothing: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Compassion is oriented towards perceiving and relieving suffering. Hence, its development is beneficial for mental health. Many interventions aimed at cultivating compassion in patients have been empirically supported. This meta-analysis analyses the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) in decreasing self-criticism, a vulnerability factor that has been related to several mental health problems, and in increasing self-soothing.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in the PsycInfo, Web of Science, Medline and Scopus databases, through which 7 controlled trials (N = 640) and 7 observational studies (N = 207) were retrieved.

RESULTS

The results of the meta-analysis determine that CFT decreases the level of self-criticism and increases the ability to experience soothing. The size of the effect varies depending on the design of the study and the subscale of the test used to measure self-criticism (Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale).

CONCLUSIONS

CFT has proven to be an effective intervention for reducing self-criticism. However, given that the number of studies is small and that only half of them are controlled trials, the results must be interpreted cautiously. More randomized controlled trials comparing CFT with other therapies are needed to determine the effect of this intervention on self-criticism with more scientific evidence.

Compassion focused therapy for pain management: '3 systems approach' to understanding why striving and self-criticism are key psychological barriers to regulating activity and improving self-care for people living with persistent pain

Background

This paper describes the development of an eight-week Compassion Focused Therapy for Pain Management (CFT-PM) group. This group was specifically designed for 'strivers' a sub-group of people with persistent pain who tend to engage in over-activity and resist making reasonable adjustments to their activity levels to accommodate their persistent pain. 'Strivers' tend to cope by ignoring their pain and pushing on through, in the shorter term leading to 'boom and bust' activity-related exacerbations of their pain. They also risk the development of additional persistent fatigue and burnout in the longer term.

Method

117 people completed the CFT-PM group; The group was delivered in person (n = 84) but in online format from July 2020 (n = 33). 162 people started the CFT-PM group but 45 dropped-out (27.43%).

Results

There was a significant effect for time across all measures: significant improvement was found for depression, self-compassion, pain-related disability, pain-related anxiety and pain self-efficacy. Pain numeric rating scores were approaching significance. There was a significant main effect of diagnosis; post-hoc t-test analysis found significant improvement for all diagnoses on all measures with the exception of spinal. There was also a significant interaction between time and format: post-hoc t-test analysis found greater improvement for virtual format on self-compassion and pain-related anxiety.

Discussion

Findings suggests that CFT-PM may be a clinically effective group intervention with virtual format showing superior improvement. This approach might be less suitable for certain diagnoses; the spinal group may benefit more from traditional CBT-based PMPs. Limitations include the lack of random selection or allocation to treatment group. Future studies should adopt an experimental design to be able to draw firm conclusions regarding causation and efficacy. Despite these limitations, present findings suggest that CFT-PM may be an effective group intervention worthy of further investigation and clinical application.

The Effects of Virtual Reality on Enhancement of Self-Compassion and Self-Protection, and Reduction of Self-Criticism: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality used for the treatment of mental health disorders is showing promising potential in clinical practice. Increasing self-compassion and self-protections and decreasing self-criticism have been identified as trans-diagnostic mechanisms helping to build a resilient self. The goal of this systematic review was to provide an overview of research studies about virtual reality while exploring its effectiveness in increasing self-compassion and self-protection and decreasing self-criticism.

METHODS

On 6 December 2022, titles, abstracts, and, where available, keywords were searched in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were: empirical study; quantitative methodology; outcomes measured, including self-compassion and/or self-protection, and/or self-criticism; pre/post and/or control group intervention measures of selected outcomes; participants aged 18 and above; application of virtual reality technology as part of the intervention; full study availability; and English language. Exclusion criteria were: ruminations related only to physical pain; self-protection in the context of physical survival; VR used to increase ruminations.

RESULTS

Selection criteria were met by 19 studies (two randomized controlled trials, 16 longitudinal studies, and one case study) with an overall number of 672 participants. Results suggest that VR interventions targeting self-criticism, self-compassion, and self-protection might be effective for non-clinical (self-compassion) as well as clinical (self-criticism and self-protection) samples.

DISCUSSION

The present systematic review partially supports the effectiveness of VR interventions on self-criticism, self-protection, and self-compassion. To properly answer the question of its effectiveness, more randomized control trials with larger samples from different populations are needed. The results are also limited by the variability of intervention protocols and the amount of exposure to VR. Other: This work was supported by the Vedecká grantová agentúra VEGA under Grant 1/0075/19. This systematic review has not been pre-registered.

The impact of Emotion-focused training for emotion couching delivered as mobile app on self-compassion and self-criticism

Introduction

Being self-compassionate is considered a beneficial emotion regulation strategy. Therefore, the acquisition of emotional skills can raise self-compassion levels and consequently reduce self-criticism.

Methods

Hence, the goal of the current study was to develop a mobile app based on the empirically proven group version of Emotion-Focused Training for Emotional Coaching (EFT-EC) and test its effectiveness in reducing self-criticism and raising self-compassion and self-protection. The sample consisted of 85 participants, of whom 22.4% were men and 77.6% were women. The mean age was 32.53 (SD = 14.51), ranging from 18 to 74 years. The participants filled out the following scales immediately before and after using the fourteen-day mobile app: The Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), The Sussex-Oxford Compassion for the Self Scale (SOCS-S), and The Short-form Version of The Scale for interpersonal behaviour (s-SIB).

Results

Use of the 14-day EFT-EC mobile app significantly improved self-compassion and self-reassurance and significantly reduced self-criticism compared to pre- and post-measurements.

Discussion

The results are promising as self-criticism is a transdiagnostic phenomenon observed in various kinds of psychopathology and reducing it may prevent the emergence of psychopathologies. Moreover, the mobile app intervention can easily be accessed by a wide range of users, without requiring the services of a mental health professional, and thereby reduces the potential risk of shame or stigmatization.

What triggers depressive symptoms among gay and bisexual men? A sequential mediation model of sexual minority-related stigma and self-criticism

A growing number of studies has shown that gay and bisexual men are more likely to experience adverse mental health status than their heterosexual counterparts. Stigma-related stress and self-criticism are believed likely to exacerbate depressive symptoms among gay and bisexual men. This research used cross-sectional findings to illustrate the mediating role of internalized self-stigma and self-criticism in the association between perceived public stigma and depressive symptoms. A total of 317 Chinese gay and bisexual men (267 gays and 50 bisexuals with a mean age of 25.29) were invited to participate in this study from October to November 2021. Sociodemographic characteristics, perceived public stigma, internalized self-stigma, self-criticism and depressive symptoms were measured through self-reported online questionnaires. The results indicated that the association between perceived public stigma and depressive symptoms was sequentially mediated by internalized self-stigma and self-criticism. The findings indicated that public stigma, as a distal stressor, was perceived and internalized as self-stigma by gay and bisexual men. This self-stigma may pose a risk for depressive symptoms via self-criticism (a maladaptive consequence of their attempts to reduce cognitive dissonance). These results highlight the necessity of reducing sexual minority-related stigma and self-criticism to reduce depressive symptoms. Our findings appeal to society to further decrease prejudice and stigma, increase tolerance, and focus on the negative mental health status of gay and bisexual men.

Experiential Avoidance in Primary Care Providers: Psychometric Properties of the Brazilian "Acceptance and Action Questionnaire" (AAQ-II) and Its Criterion Validity on Mood Disorder-Related Psychological Distress

BACKGROUND

A sizeable proportion of Brazilian Primary Care (PC) providers suffer from common mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. In an effort to cope with job-related distress, PC workers are likely to implement maladaptive strategies such as experiential avoidance (EA). The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II) is a widely used instrument that evaluates EA but has shown questionable internal consistency in specific populations. This study assesses the psychometric properties of the AAQ-II among Brazilian PC providers, evaluates its convergence and divergence with self-criticism and mindfulness skills, and explores its criterion validity on anxiety and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was conducted in Brazilian PC services, and the sample included 407 PC workers. The measures evaluated EA, self-criticism, mindfulness, depression, and anxiety.

RESULTS

The one-factor model of the AAQ-II replicated the original version structure. The AAQ-II presented good internal consistency among Brazilian PC providers. A multiple regression model demonstrated higher relationships with self-criticism than mindfulness skills. The criterion validity of the AAQ-II on anxiety and depression was stronger in the context of more severe symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The AAQ-II is an appropriate questionnaire to measure the lack of psychological flexibility among Brazilian PC workers in the sense of EA.

Randomized controlled trial of emotion-focused training for helping professionals

Introduction

The aim of this study was to examine the short- and long-term effectiveness of the novel Emotion-focused Training for Helping Professions on levels of compassion fatigue (secondary traumatic stress & burnout), self-criticism, self-compassion, and compassion for others.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial study was conducted. A total of 253 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group attended a 14-day online training. The control group did not perform any tasks.

Results

Results showed that after completing the intervention the experimental group participants reported significantly lower scores for secondary traumatic stress, burnout and self-criticism, and higher scores for self-compassion and that these lasted for two months after completion. Compared to the control group, the experimental group participants had significantly lower scores of secondary traumatic stress, burnout, self-criticism, and higher scores of self-compassion after the intervention. No significant changes were found for the control group, except a significant increase in time in the reported score for one dimension of burnout - exhaustion.

Discussion

The novel EFT-HP training was shown to be effective in reducing levels of compassion fatigue (secondary traumatic stress and burnout) and self-criticism and increasing self-compassion.

The emotional impact of self-criticism on self-reflection and rumination

OBJECTIVES

The goals of this study were to determine whether self-reflection is a beneficial exercise for highly self-critical individuals and to examine the effects of self-focused thought including reflection and rumination on mood. This was investigated by measuring the levels of self-criticism, as well as mood before and after exposure to a reflective prompt or a ruminative prompt.

DESIGN

Experimental design with random assignment to reflection, rumination or control groups.

METHODS

243 participants from a sample recruited on prolific provided demographic information and completed measures of current mood and self-criticism. All participants were then asked to remember a time they made a mistake that had a significant impact on them and describe the mistake briefly. Participants were then randomly assigned to a self-focus condition (reflection, rumination or control). After being assigned and completing the prompt, their mood was measured again.

RESULTS

Hierarchical multiple regressions were used to measure the potential combined effects of self-criticism and self-focused thought on change in emotion. The results showed that participants with high levels of maladaptive self-criticism (hated self-subscale) experienced a significant decrease in negative emotions, indicating improved mood.

CONCLUSIONS

This suggests that reflection may be a beneficial exercise for highly self-critical individuals. Participants in the rumination group experienced no significant change in emotion, indicating how rumination can perpetuate negative affect and is therefore an important issue to be addressed in psychotherapy.

Self-Compassion Moderates the Mediating Effect of Self-Criticism in the Link Between Childhood Maltreatment and Psychopathology

Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been associated with psychological symptoms (i.e., psychopathology) among clinical and nonclinical samples. The mechanisms underlying this link have been understudied, especially among well-functioning adults. Arguably, exposure to CM may be translated into negative and critical self-appraisals and self-blame, reflected in high self-criticism. CM may also result in difficulty in extending kindness towards oneself, that is, low self-compassion. These characteristics are linked with elevated psychopathology. Nevertheless, no study has yet tested the extent to which self-criticism and self-compassion may serve as independent mechanisms linking CM and psychopathology and whether in this context self-compassion buffers the link between self-criticism and psychopathology. Here, we tested an integrative model in which the relation between CM and psychopathology was mediated by self-compassion and self-criticism, and the path between self-criticism and psychopathology was moderated by self-compassion. A convenience sample of 914 individuals completed online self-report questionnaires. Results indicated that CM was related to psychopathology through the mediation of self-compassion and self-criticism, with a significant interaction between self-criticism and self-compassion. Showing a moderated-mediational effect, the link between self-criticism and psychopathology was weaker under high than under low levels of self-compassion. Our findings highlight the importance of self-compassion, a robust resilience factor related to reduced psychopathology and moderating the link between self-criticism, a potent transdiagnostic risk factor, and psychopathology in the context of CM. These results thus provide empirical evidence for the relevance of compassion and mindfulness in counseling settings, particularly with CM survivors, who are at greater risk for psychopathology.

Mental Well-Being of Czech University Students: Academic Motivation, Self-Compassion, and Self-Criticism

University students in the Czech Republic suffer from a low level of mental well-being. Research in other university student populations suggests that academic motivation, self-compassion, and self-criticism are strongly related to mental well-being. Students who are motivated to study, are kind toward themselves, and are less judgmental of themselves tend to have a high level of mental well-being. These relationships had not been evaluated in Czech students. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationships between mental well-being, academic motivation (intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation), self-compassion (self-reassurance) and self-criticism (self-inadequacy and self-hate). Of 130 students approached, a convenience sampling of 119 psychology students at a university in the Czech Republic completed a survey regarding these constructs. Correlation, regression, and path analyses were conducted. Mental well-being was positively associated with intrinsic motivation and self-compassion, and negatively associated with amotivation and self-criticism. Self-compassion was identified as the strongest predictor of mental well-being. Lastly, intrinsic motivation mediated the pathway from self-compassion to mental well-being, but not the one from self-inadequacy to mental well-being, and the one from self-hate to mental well-being. Our findings can help educators to identify effective means to protect students' mental well-being. Cultivating students' self-compassion may be helpful to protect their mental well-being. University staff and educators in the Czech Republic need to consider ways to embed self-compassion training into their students' programmes or university life.

Emotion-Focused Mobile App for Promoting Self-Compassion, Self-Protection, and Self-Criticism

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily lives and restricted access to traditional psychological interventions. Hence there is an immediate and growing demand for accessible and scalable mental health solutions. Emotion-focused training for self-compassion and self-protection was developed and distributed using mobile phone technologies, and its effectiveness was tested. The available research sample consisted of 97 participants with a mean age of 26.06 years and a standard deviation of 10.53. Participants using the mobile app underwent a 14-day program aimed at reducing self-criticism while increasing self-compassion and self-protection. Pre- and post-measurements were collected. The results showed a statistically significant medium effect on self-compassion, self-criticism, and self-protection performance and a significant small effect on self-protection distress. The finding that a 14-day mobile app was able to foster well-being in the form of self-compassion, self-protection, and self-criticism is promising. It indicates the potential for individuals to obtain help through the use of remote tools such as MHapps for a fraction of the usual cost, at their own pace, and without other restrictions.

Qualitative Analysis of Chair Tasks in Emotion-Focused Therapy Video Sessions

One of the key elements of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is decreasing self-criticism as a secondary, maladaptive emotion within two-chair interventions while simultaneously increasing self-compassion and self-protection as primary, adaptive emotions. Though the concepts of self-compassion, self-protection, and self-criticism are highly acknowledged within psychotherapy research, the verbal articulation of these constructs within therapy sessions is underinvestigated. Thus, this qualitative study aims to examine how self-criticism, self-protection, and self-compassion are articulated by clients in EFT video sessions. Consensual qualitative research was used for data analysis performed by two core team members and one auditor. Three similar domains were considered for all three concepts: behavioural, emotional, and cognitive aspects. The number of self-protection statements was the highest among the states. The behavioural aspect was the most dominant domain for self-protection with the major subdomain 'I tell you what I need'. For self-compassion, the cognitive aspect was the most significant domain containing eight subdomains, such as 'I see your bad circumstances'. The most frequent domain for self-criticism was the behavioural aspect consisting of the two subdomains 'I point out your wrong behaviours and I give you instructions'. The findings demonstrate the significance of promoting both self-compassion and self-protection to combat self-criticism. More studies of categorising a broader number of cases among various therapy approaches are necessary to develop a more detailed understanding of clients' verbalisation of self-compassion, self-protection, and self-criticism within therapy.

Prevalence of compassion fatigue among helping professions and relationship to compassion for others, self-compassion and self-criticism

INTRODUCTION

Helping professionals are at high risk of being affected by the negative aspects of helping such as compassion fatigue. To date, no study has provided a comprehensive overview of compassion fatigue and compared the prevalence among different helping professions.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and differences in compassion fatigue among different helping professions. We also wanted to explore the relationship between compassion, self-compassion, self-criticism and compassion fatigue.

METHODS

Six hundred and seven participants working in the helping professions were recruited. The sample consisted of 102 nurses, 44 doctors, 57 paramedics, 39 home nurses, 66 teachers, 103 psychologists, 40 psychotherapists and coaches, 76 social workers, 39 priests and pastors and 41 police officers. The data were collected using an online questionnaire battery measuring levels of compassion, self-compassion, self-criticism, compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction.

RESULTS

We found significant differences in compassion fatigue levels among various helping professions. No large differences were found in the compassion and self-compassion levels exhibited by professionals with medium versus low compassion fatigue scores. However, participants with higher levels of compassion fatigue scored higher in self-criticism. Self-criticism was found to be the best predictor of compassion fatigue. The effect of profession on compassion fatigue as mediated by self-criticism and self-compassion was significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, we recommend designing programs to combat compassion fatigue that teach helping professionals to better manage their work time and workload (hours per week with clients/patients) and learn healthier inner talk (less self-critical and more self-compassionate).

Reliability and Validity of the Self-Rating Scale as a Measure of Self-Criticism

The Self-Rating Scale (SRS; Hooley et al., 2010), a widely used measure of self-criticism in self-injury research, did not utilize conventional test development methods and has limited psychometric data. We examined the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity of the SRS. Participants were 295 psychology undergraduate students. The SRS demonstrated good internal consistency (α = .93), adequate test-retest reliability (r = .76), and satisfactory convergent validity with other measures of self-criticism. Convergent validity was also adequate for expected dimensions of perfectionism (socially prescribed, self-oriented, concerns about mistakes, and doubts about actions), depressive symptoms, and negative and positive affect. The SRS demonstrated adequate discriminant validity with expected constructs of perfectionism (other-oriented, personal standards, and organizational perfectionism). Although the SRS appears to be a psychometrically sound measure of self-criticism, high correlations with depression and perfectionism raise questions regarding the overlap of these constructs.

Do Maternal Self-Criticism and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Mediate the Effect of History of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms on Mother-Infant Bonding? Parallel-Serial Mediation Models

Introduction

History of depression symptoms, including before and during pregnancy, has been identified as an important risk factor for postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms. This condition has also been associated with diverse implications, namely, on the quality of mother-infant bonding. Moreover, the role of self-criticism on PPD has been recently found in several studies. However, the link between these factors has not been explored yet. Furthermore, anxiety symptoms in postpartum has been less studied.

Methods

This study analyzed whether the history of depression symptoms predicted mother-infant bonding, via self-criticism and PPD symptoms. The same model was repeated with a history of anxiety and postpartum anxiety symptoms. A total of 550 mothers of infants <24 months old participated in this cross-sectional study and answered an online survey.

Results

Through a parallel-serial mediation model, the results show that in a first step, self-criticism dimensions of inadequate-self, hated-self, and reassuring-self, and in a second step, PPD symptoms, mediate the relationship between the history of depression symptoms and mother-infant bonding. However, the relationship between the history of anxiety symptoms and bonding is not mediated by all the considered chain of mediators, being only mediated by one of the self-criticism dimensions, inadequate self.

Conclusions

The current study confirmed the association of history of both depression and anxiety with mother-infant bonding. While in the case of history of anxiety symptoms, the relation was only mediated by inadequate self-dimension of self-criticism, in the case of history of depression symptoms, the relation was mediated by self-criticism and postpartum depressive symptoms. The buffering effect of reassuring-self on bonding and negative affect was also evidenced. Psychological and preventive interventions should address this evidence to target interventions for mother-infant bonding problems in accordance with previous and actual current maternal risk factors.

The mediating role of self-criticism, experiential avoidance and negative urgency on the relationship between ED-related symptoms and difficulties in emotion regulation

OBJECTIVE

Difficulties in emotion regulation are thought to play a transdiagnostic role across eating disorders (ED). In the current study, we explored with a path analysis the mediating role of self-criticism, experiential avoidance and negative urgency on the relationship between ED-related symptoms and dimensions of difficulties in emotion regulation.

METHOD

Participants were 103 female outpatients recruited at a Portuguese ED hospital unit, diagnosed with an ED, aged 14-60 years old (M = 28.0, SD = 10.5), body mass index (BMI) ranging from 11.72 to 39.44 (M = 20.1, SD = 5.4).

RESULTS

The path analysis resulted in a model with an adequate fit to the data (SRMR = 0.05; RMSEA = 0.07 [0.00, 0.12], PCLOSE = 0.269; TLI = 0.97; IFI = 0.99; GFI = 0.95). A final model in which the relationship between ED-related symptoms and dimensions of difficulties in emotion regulation was mediated by self-criticism, experiential avoidance and negative urgency, accounted for a variance of 71% for strategies, 57% for non-acceptance, 62% for impulses, 56% for goals and 20% for clarity.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that self-criticism, experiential avoidance and negative urgency, combined, are relevant in the relationship between ED-related symptoms and difficulties in emotion regulation. ED treatment and emotion regulation skills may be enhanced through the inclusion of specific components that target self-criticism, experiential avoidance and negative urgency, as they become prominent during the therapeutic process.

Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Reconstructed Depressive Experiences Questionnaire

The Reconstructed Depressive Experiences Questionnaire-RDEQ is a self-report measure for assessing depressive experiences and in particular dependency and self-criticism, that is, vulnerability traits for depression. It constitutes a short version of the widely used DEQ that was constructed to detect the anaclitic and the introjective depressive characterological configurations. However, DEQ's validity has been questioned and several shortened versions have been constructed. RDEQ has been found to preserve the characteristics of the original scale and demonstrate the best psychometric qualities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Greek version. RDEQ was translated and the final version was administered, along with questionnaires measuring depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI), attachment (Cartes de Modèles Individuels de Relations, CAMIR), and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, RSES), to a clinical and a community sample of 714 individuals. Confirmatory factor analysis yielded a two-factors structure that represents the personality dimensions of dependency and self-criticism. Findings showed that this model fits well the data and has good internal consistency with Cronbach's alphas 0.84 and 0.87, respectively. The correlation between the two RDEQ factors demonstrated that the two scales are orthogonal and distinct. Moreover, the Greek version exhibited low to moderate significant correlations with BDI, CAMIR, and RSES and satisfactory convergent and divergent validity. RDEQ appears to be a suitable tool for research use and is expected to facilitate the examination of depressive personality dimensions in Greek speaking populations.

Self-Criticism in In-Work Poverty: The Mediating Role of Social Support in the Era of Flexibility

In-work poverty reflects situations of income below the poverty threshold among employed people, involving a deterioration of wellbeing. The International Labour Organization prioritises this situation, which in countries such as Spain, Germany or Italy reaches rates of 11.8%, 10.6% and 11.8%, respectively. Within a context of flexibility, the occupational situation tends to be understood as an individual responsibility, which is why this study analyses the increase in self-criticism in these situations, and the role of social support in this relationship. The mediation of social support in the manifestation of self-criticism among people experiencing in-work poverty is analysed. The participants were 1430 employed people, grouped into those in a situation of poverty and those who are not. The results show that people in a situation of in-work poverty present a higher score in self-criticism and lower in social support. Social support is a mediating variable that prevents the manifestation of self-criticism. Lastly, a gender analysis shows that women experience this relationship more intensely. These findings enable a critical assessment of the activation policies that only take an individual approach. As an alternative, we propose strengthening interventions that foster social support, particularly among women.

Ayahuasca may help to improve self-compassion and self-criticism capacities

OBJECTIVE

Ayahuasca is a psychedelic brew that originated in the Amazon basin. The psychological effects of this drug are becoming better understood due to the growing research interest in identifying new potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of emotion dysregulation and other disorders. Previous studies suggest that ayahuasca enhances mindfulness-related capacities (decentering, non-judging, non-reacting and acceptance) and emotion regulation. The aim of the present exploratory study was to determine the effects of ayahuasca on self-compassion in a community sample.

METHODS

We administered validated questionnaires (the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form and Forms of Self-Criticism and Self-Reassurance) to evaluate pre-post changes in self-compassion and self-criticism/self-reassurance in 45 volunteers (27 women; 60%) before and after (≤24 h) an ayahuasca ceremony. Most participants (n = 29; 67.4%) had previously used ayahuasca.

RESULTS

Ayahuasca resulted in significant improvements, with medium to large effect sizes (η²  = 0.184-0.276), in measures of self-compassion (p < 0.05), self-criticism (p < 0.01) and self-reassurance (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that ayahuasca promotes well-being and self-compassion, which could have a therapeutic effect on individuals with negative affect and other psychopathological conditions. Large, controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Compassion-focused therapy groups for people with intellectual disabilities: An extended pilot study

People with intellectual disabilities who experience mental health difficulties often have high levels of self-criticism and shame. Compassion-focused therapy is a therapeutic modality effective in working with such feelings. This article follows on from a previous compassion-focused therapy group study exploring the impact of two compassion-focused therapy-based groups on how participants felt about themselves. Utilizing a mixed method design, the study illustrated that participants experienced higher levels of compassion and, overall, saw themselves more favourably by the end of the groups. They were also able to understand the basic concepts of compassion-focused therapy which reinforced previous study findings, suggesting that it is adaptable and clinically useful for people with intellectual disabilities.

Why Do I Seek Negative Feedback? Assessment Orientation, Self-Criticism, and Negative Feedback-Seeking

Negative feedback plays an important role in employee performance improvement, yet little research has specifically examined the motivational factor that drives employees to seek negative feedback. Drawing from the regulatory mode theory, we propose that assessment orientation could increase negative feedback-seeking by triggering individual self-criticism and participative leadership could enhance this effect. Results from a two-wave lagged survey study obtained from 216 Chinese employees suggested that assessment orientation is positively correlated with negative feedback-seeking via the mediating role of self-criticism. Moreover, the positive effect of assessment orientation on self-criticism and the positive indirect effect of assessment orientation on negative feedback-seeking via self-criticism are both stronger when participative leadership is higher. These results enrich the literature on feedback-seeking and regulatory mode and are useful for increasing employee negative feedback-seeking behavior in the organization.

Experiences of Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion in People Diagnosed With Cancer: A Multimethod Qualitative Study

Objective: Self-criticism is a self-condemning and self-compassion a supportive style of self-to-self relating. These concepts have increasingly been studied in people with cancer, but mainly with quantitative studies. This study is the first to explore how adult cancer patients experience self-criticism and self-compassion in the context of their illness. Design: A multimethod qualitative study design was used, combining individual and group semi-structured interviews. Participants were 26 people with cancer who familiarized themselves with the topic by doing various self-compassion exercises for 2 weeks prior to the interview. Individual and group interviews were analyzed together using thematic analysis. Results: Four themes regarding self-criticism were identified: (1) being harsh or strict with yourself, (2) feeling guilty or angry, (3) feeling useless or like a burden, (4) feeling ashamed and not wanting to show weakness. Six themes regarding self-compassion were identified: (1) being mild to yourself, (2) guarding your boundaries, (3) accepting the illness and limitations, (4) maintaining a positive perspective, (5) connecting to others, and (6) taking responsibility for your health. Conclusion: Our findings offer insights into practical and daily life experiences of self-criticism and self-compassion of people with cancer, which can aid the further development of theory, scales and interventions.

No harm in being self-corrective: Self-criticism and reform intentions increase researchers' epistemic trustworthiness and credibility in the eyes of the public

Science should be self-correcting. However, researchers often hesitate to admit errors and to adopt reforms in their own work. In two studies (overall N = 702), we test whether scientific self-criticism and reform intentions expressed by researchers damage or rather improve their reputation in the eyes of the public (i.e. perceivers). Across both studies, such self-correction (compared to no self-correction) increases perceivers' epistemic trustworthiness ascriptions, credibility perceptions, and willingness to further engage with science. Study 2 revealed that these effects were largely driven by the no self-criticism condition. In addition, researchers' commitment to implementing reforms had positive effects and rejecting reforms had negative effects on perceptions, irrespective of the extent of these reforms. These findings suggest that researchers' fear that self-criticism and expressing reform intentions may damage their reputation may be unfounded.

Does Self-Reassurance Reduce Neural and Self-Report Reactivity to Negative Life Events?

Whilst research has shown how self-criticism may increase both neural and self-report markers of negative emotion, less well-known is how self-reassurance—a compassionately-motivated cognitive self-relating style—may regulate negative emotion. Using fMRI, we invited participants to engage in self-criticism and self-reassurance toward written descriptions of negative life events (mistakes, setbacks, failures). Our results identify that neural markers of negative emotion and self-report markers of trial intensity during fMRI are down-regulated under conditions of self-reassurance, relative to self-criticism. Future work to control for autobiographical memory during this fMRI task is needed, as are controls for how well participants can engage in both thinking styles, to explore how memory/task engagement can contribute to self-reassurance and self-criticism. Engagement in self-reassurance can reduce the “sting” of negative life-events, both neural and self-report, which holds important implications for therapy.

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Is Associated With Attenuated Interoceptive Responses to Self-Critical Rumination

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a prevalent and dangerous behavior. Those with a history of NSSI often report high levels of self-critical rumination (SCR), a form of negatively valenced introspective self-referential processing. It is plausible that this overly analytical style of relating to the self might hinder the ability to process interoceptive signals, thereby increasing the capacity to engage in behaviors that cause bodily harm. Two studies investigated whether trait or state SCR influenced aspects of interoception in those with and without a history of NSSI. In Study 1 (N = 180), irrespective of NSSI history, trait SCR was associated with finding attending to the heartbeat unpleasant. However, no associations were observed for interoceptive confidence, or metacognitive insight into their interoceptive abilities (confidence-accuracy correspondence). Trait SCR was associated with having higher interoceptive accuracy, but only in those without a history of NSSI. In Study 2 (N = 98), irrespective of NSSI history, state self-criticism led to a more negative interoceptive valence, and reduced participants' metacognitive insight. In those without a history of NSSI, state self-criticism also increased interoceptive accuracy-an effect attenuated in those with NSSI. These findings suggest that those with NSSI are characterized by a blunted interoceptive response to negatively valenced self-focused attention.

Body weight perception outweighs body weight when predicting shame, criticism, depression and anxiety for lower BMI range and higher BMI range adults

This study examined the relationship between body weight shame, self-criticism and mental health for individuals across body weight ranges. In total 1695 participants completed a series of online measures and we used Structural Equation Modelling, to assess for the relationship between weight, perceived weight, social rank (social comparison, body weight shame, submissiveness) self-criticism (inadequate and self-hatred) and anxious and depressive symptoms. Results indicated that perceived body weight is more important than actual body weight in predicting body weight shame. Importantly, individuals classified in higher BMI ranges rely more on the self-hatred form of self-criticism which significantly predicts anxious and depressive symptoms.

Mediation analysis of social deficits between self-criticism and aggression in adolescents

This research aims to determine the mediating role of social deficits in self-criticism and aggression using a sample of 695 adolescents (girls = 49%, boys = 51%), aged 12 to 19 years (M = 14.97, SD = 1.30) from an urbanized city of Pakistan. Interpersonal Difficulties Scale, Self-Criticism Scale, and Aggressive Behavior Scale were used in the present study. Results indicated a significant positive association of social deficits with self-criticism and aggression (p < .001). Furthermore, findings also suggested a significant positive association between self-criticism and aggression. Mediation analysis revealed that self-criticism partially mediated the relationship between social deficits and aggression. Findings are discussed in terms of the expression and manifestation of self-criticism, social deficits, and aggression in adolescents in collectivistic cultures.

"Know That You're Not Just Settling": Exploring Women Athletes' Self-Compassion, Sport Performance Perceptions, and Well-Being Around Important Competitive Events

Self-compassion, an adaptive self-attitude, is a resource that women athletes use during emotionally difficult times and as a way to reach their potential. The relationship between self-compassion and sport performance, however, is complex. The role and experience of self-compassion within perceived important competitive events are important to explore, as athletes face unique pressures and stressors in these meaningful sport experiences. This collective case study describes women athletes' self-compassion, sport performance perceptions, and well-being around a self-identified important competitive event. Competitive women athletes (N = 9) participated in two one-on-one interviews, before and after their important competitive event. Results from the holistic, functional, and thematic analyses are represented by holistic case descriptions and an overarching theme, Continuing to Excel in Sport, and subthemes, Reframing Criticism and A Determined Approach. In important competitive events, women athletes utilize self-compassion to promote performance perceptions and well-being when preparing, competing, and reflecting to excel in sport.

On loving thyself: Exploring the association between self-compassion, self-reported suicidal behaviors, and implicit suicidality among college students

Suicide is a major public health concern. It is unknown whether self-compassion is associated with suicide risk above and beyond suicide risk factors such as self-criticism, hopelessness, and depression severity. Participants: Participants were 130 ethnically diverse undergraduate college students. Methods: Participants completed self-report measures of self-compassion, self-criticism, hopelessness, depression severity, and suicidal behaviors, as well as an implicit measure of suicidality. Results: Self-compassion was significantly associated with self-reported suicidal behaviors, even when controlling for self-criticism, hopelessness, and depression severity. Self-compassion was not significantly associated with implicit suicidality. Conclusions: The findings suggest that self-compassion is uniquely associated with self-reported suicidal behaviors, but not implicit suicidality, and that self-compassion is a potentially important target in suicide risk interventions. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.

Self-Critical and Self-Punishment Cognitions Differentiate Those With and Without a History of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

The aim of this study was to examine trait, state, and temporal instability measures of self-critical and self-punishment cognitions to evaluate their respective roles in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Participants were university students with a history of NSSI (n = 64) and those with no history of NSSI (n = 59). At baseline, participants completed measures assessing history of NSSI behavior, as well as trait measures of self-criticism and self-punishment. After completion of baseline procedures, participants subsequently participated in a 10-day ecological momentary assessment protocol in which self-critical and self-punishment cognitions were assessed in real time three times daily. Employing bivariate and multivariate frameworks, our results demonstrate that both trait and state levels of self-critical and self-punishment cognitions robustly differentiate between young adults with and without a lifetime history of NSSI. The present results also confirm that the temporal instability of these cognitive states also meaningfully differentiate between groups, such that those who exhibit greater fluctuations in these cognitive states are more likely to have a history of NSSI. The current findings suggest that trait, state, and temporal instability of negative self-focused cognitions may be vulnerability factors for engagement in NSSI.

Depression in Institutionalized Adolescents: The Role of Memories of Warmth and Safeness, Shame and Self-criticism

Institutionalization is a current problem, related to several indicators of psychological maladjustment. In the same way, there are several studies that point to the role of shame and self-criticism in the development of psychopathology. Therefore, our study explored, in institutionalized adolescents, whether early memories of warmth and safeness (EMWS) were associated to depression through external shame and self-criticism. The sample included 171 institutionalized adolescents (60.2% girls; Mage = 15.56; SD = 1.49). Depression, EMWS, external shame and self-criticism were assessed. The EMWS didn't show a direct effect on depression, exerting its effect indirectly through external shame and self-criticism. The relationship between EMWS and self-criticism was fully mediated by external shame, and the relationship between external shame and depression was fully mediated by self-criticism. In conclusion, the way the individual sees and relates to the self seems to impact on psychological adjustment and in the development of psychopathology. The fact that external shame and self-criticism fully mediated the relationship between EMWS and depression emphasizes the relevance of preventive and therapeutic approaches that aim to promote a healthier way of relating to the self.

The relationship between self-criticism and suicide probability

The relationship of self-to-self relating and suicide has received attention in explanatory models of suicide. However, exploration of specific types of self-relationships, namely feelings of inadequacy (associated with perfectionism), self-attacking and the ability to be kind and nurturing towards the self has received limited attention in a suicidal population. The present study assessed the relative contribution of self-criticism to suicide probability, alongside established predictors of suicidal ideation; hopelessness, depression, defeat and entrapment. Participants completed measures of inadequacy, self-attacking, self-reassurance, defeat, entrapment, depression and hopelessness (N = 101). A correlation, regression and mediation analysis was undertaken. Results demonstrated that self-attacking has a direct relationship with suicide probability, alongside established predictors; entrapment and hopelessness. Depressive symptomology was not found to be a significant predictor of suicide probability in this population. Addressing particularly hostile forms of self-criticism may be a promising area in terms of future research and clinical practice. Entrapment continues to be a significant predictor of suicide risk and interventions that target this experience should be explored.