Abstract
This research explores the relation between social comparison and self-criticism on a group of participants with elevated rates of depressive symptoms. In addition, the study investigated whether the type of feedback could moderate the relation between social comparison and self-criticism. The sample included 36 psychology students in the first year (N = 28 women, M age = 24.6, SD = 4.66) with high depressive symptoms. Results show that higher rates of negative social comparison are correlated with higher levels of self-criticism. Participants that received negative feedback reported an increase level of self-criticism compared to those from positive feedback condition. The type of feedback moderated the relation between social comparison and self-criticism. Our findings are discussed from the perspective of their practical implications for young adults experiencing high levels of depressive symptoms.
Highlights
Self-criticism is the harsh evaluation of one’s own behavior and attributes and may be accompanied by a chronic fear of disapproval or self-incrimination (Powers, Zuroff & Topciu, 2004; Powers, Koestner & Zuroff, 2007)
This study is aimed at examining the role of social comparison on self-criticism among young adults with high levels of depressive symptoms
The results show a negative relation between social comparison and self-criticism in individuals with high depressive symptoms, and our results are in line with previous studies (Abela et al, 2006; Faranda & Roberts, 2019)
Summary
Self-criticism is the harsh evaluation of one’s own behavior and attributes and may be accompanied by a chronic fear of disapproval or self-incrimination (Powers, Zuroff & Topciu, 2004; Powers, Koestner & Zuroff, 2007). Previous research suggested that self-criticism is related to numerous psychiatric conditions, including high social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depressive symptoms, or low self-efficacy (Dunkley, Zuroff & Blankstein, 2003; Faranda & Roberts, 2019; Gilbert, Durrant & McEwan, 2006; Iancu, Bodner & Ben-Zion, 2015). Self-criticism may become a generalized self-concept that can have an unfavorable influence people’s future actions and behaviors (Beck & Bredemeier, 2016). Given these effects, researchers have been concerned about social factors that could be linked to selfcriticism, such as social comparison (e.g., Gilbert, Baldwin, Irons, Baccus & Palmer, 2006; Bäzner, Brömer, Hammelstein & Meyer, 2006). In order to advance the literature our research examined the relationship between social comparisons and self-criticism in participants with high depressive symptoms and if the type of feedback would explain as a moderator the relation between these constructs
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