High Levels Of Self-criticism Research Articles

Personality Trait Predictive Utility and Stability in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for Major Depression: Dissociation of Neuroticism and Self-Criticism: Utilité prédictive et stabilité des traits de personnalité dans la stimulation magnétique transcrânienne répétitive (SMTr) pour la dépression majeure : dissociation du neuroticisme et de l’autocritique

Background: Cost-efficient and non-invasive predictors of antidepressant response to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are required. The personality vulnerabilities—neuroticism and self-criticism—are associated with antidepressant outcomes in other modalities; however, self-criticism has not been examined in response to rTMS, and the literature on neuroticism and rTMS is inconsistent. Methods: This naturalistic, 4-week study involved daily dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC) rTMS for major depression (15 unipolar, 2 bipolar). Participants completed the Big Five Inventory (neuroticism) and the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (self-criticism) at baseline and at the end of treatment. Changes in depressive symptoms, as rated by the clinician, were quantified using the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Given the inconsistencies in data regarding the stability of neuroticism in patients receiving rTMS, we performed a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis of trials examining rTMS and neuroticism. Results: rTMS significantly improved depressive symptoms, and this was predicted by higher levels of self-criticism but not neuroticism. Self-criticism was stable over the 4 weeks of rTMS; however, neuroticism decreased, and this was not related to decreases in depressive symptoms. Our quantitative meta-analysis of 4 rTMS trials in major depression ( n = 52 patients) revealed decreases in neuroticism, with a moderate effect size. Limitations: Our results are limited by a small sample size, and the absence of a sham-rTMS group. Our meta-analysis included only 4 trials. Conclusion: Highly self-critical patients appear to benefit more from rTMS than less self-critical patients. Neuroticism, a conceptually similar but distinct personality domain, does not appear to predict antidepressant response, yet this vulnerability factor for depression decreases after rTMS.

The Explanatory Role of Basic Psychological Need Experiences in the Relation between Dependency, Self-Criticism and Psychopathology in Adolescence

According to Blatt’s theory on personality development, adolescents with high levels of self-criticism and dependency are more vulnerable to diverse types of psychopathology. However, relatively little is known about intervening processes involved in this personality-based vulnerability. The goal of this study is to examine, on the basis of Self-Determination Theory, the explanatory role of the psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness in associations between self-criticism and dependency on the one hand and adolescents’ internalizing and externalizing problems on the other hand. In this cross-sectional and multi-informant study, 284 adolescents (58,5% female; mean age = 14.15; SD = .93) and their parents reported about the adolescent’s internalizing and externalizing problems. Adolescents also completed measures assessing self-criticism, dependency, and psychological needs experiences. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Self-criticism and dependency were significantly related to higher levels of both internalizing and externalizing problems, with psychological need frustration fully mediating these associations. This study suggests that psychological need frustration is an important explanatory mechanism in personality-related vulnerability for adolescent psychopathology. More generally, it provides further evidence for the integration between two major theoretical approaches in the domain of adolescent development and psychopathology.

Assessing hostility in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

ABSTRACTCOPD is a disease that can adversely affect patients’ psychology. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether COPD patients feel increased hostility, and if hostility is associated with socio-economic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 203 COPD patients in primary health care services in Greece, using the hostility and direction of hostility questionnaire HDHQ. Patient demographics, smoking habits, body mass index (BMI) and disease grade were also recorded. The results showed significant differences between males and females, with women exhibiting higher hostility (p = 0.004). Age correlates negatively with hostility, with younger patients showing higher values. Patients who continue to smoke (p = 0.005), and those in a very poor financial situation, have a much higher level of hostility. Regarding family status, married patients show the least hostility. In patients with very severe COPD and those with low education (p = 0.035) there is a high level of self-criticism. In conclusion, patients with COPD, still smokers, single, low-income and low-educated, especially female patients, have a higher risk of developing hostility. These findings suggest a need for further research in order to clarify the complexity of the different risk factors.

Self-criticism and self-compassion role in the occurrence of insomnia on college students

IntroductionTo our knowledge there are no research about the influence of self-criticism and self-compassion in the occurrence of insomnia.ObjectivesTo study the association between self-criticism, self-compassion and insomnia on university students; to explore differences in these associations on two moments of student's lives–examination and no examination period.AimsWe anticipate that the stress and pressure of the examination period have an impact on student's sleep and there are, also, differences by age and gender.MethodSelf-Criticism and Self-Reassurance Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, Pre-Activation Sleep Scale, Insomnia Assessment Scale and Anxiety and Depression and Stress Scales were answered by 160 college students (M = 26.45, SD = 7.98; range = 19–54 years) during an examination period and by 108 college students during a no examination period (M = 26.34; SD = 0.43; range = 19–54 years).ResultsIn both periods (examination and no examination period) older students (30–54 years) tended to be more self-compassionate and tolerant, such as less self-critical and punitive. During the examination period, younger students (19–29 years) showed higher levels of self-criticism, cognitive, and somatic activation before falling asleep. There was also a higher proportion of younger students in the insomniac and insomnia symptomatic groups. Moreover, significant correlations were found between cognitive and somatic activation and depression, anxiety, and stress in both moments.ConclusionsIn the examination period, the youngest students are more critical and less compassionate, what might lead to greater cognitive and somatic activation before sleep and, consequently, to insomnia symptoms and insomnia itself.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Self-criticism as a mediator in the relationship between unhealthy perfectionism and distress

Unhealthy or negative perfectionism has been identified as both a risk and maintaining factor for a range of psychological difficulties. A cross-sectional online study with a predominantly student population (n=381) investigated cognitive processes suggested to mediate the relationship between unhealthy perfectionism and distress. Hypothesised cognitive processes were assessed using questionnaires about rumination, habitual self-critical thinking, unhelpful beliefs about emotions, self-compassion and mindfulness. Factor analysis of these questionnaires suggested two distinct underlying constructs, labelled self-criticism and present-moment awareness. Higher levels of self-criticism were associated with unhealthy perfectionism and psychological distress, and partially mediated this relationship. Present-moment awareness was associated with unhealthy perfectionism but not distress. These findings are consistent with the possibility that repetitive or habitual self-critical thinking is a process through which unhealthy perfectionism may result in greater distress. Future research could investigate whether interventions targeting self-criticism may help to reduce distress in individuals with high levels of unhealthy perfectionism.

Negative cognitive styles synergistically predict suicidal ideation in bipolar spectrum disorders: A 3-year prospective study

Rates of suicidal ideation and behavior are extremely high in bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs). However, relatively little work has evaluated potentially synergistic relationships between cognitive and emotion-regulatory processes proposed by theoretical models of suicidality in BSDs. The present study evaluated whether negative cognitive style and subtypes of rumination would exacerbate the impact of self-criticism on suicidal ideation in a prospective study of individuals with BSDs. Seventy-two young adults with BSDs (bipolar II, bipolar NOS, or cyclothymia) completed diagnostic interviews and trait measures of self-criticism, negative cognitive style, and brooding and reflective rumination at a baseline assessment. The occurrence of suicidal ideation was assessed as part of diagnostic interviews completed every 4 months for an average of 3 years of follow-up. Negative cognitive style and reflective rumination strengthened the association between self-criticism and the prospective occurrence of suicidal ideation across follow-up. Individuals with high levels of self-criticism in conjunction with negative cognitive style or reflective rumination were most likely to experience the onset of suicidal ideation. Self-criticism may work synergistically with negative cognitive style and rumination to confer risk for suicidal ideation in bipolar spectrum disorders. These results support theoretical models of suicidality in BSDs and indicate that evaluating and understanding negative cognitive styles may help to identify individuals who are at risk of suicide.

Adult attachment insecurity and dyadic adjustment: The mediating role of self-criticism.

Although it is well established that adult attachment is associated with relationship quality, the mechanisms involved in this association are still poorly understood. Individual variables that are shaped in early attachment experiences, such as self-criticism, may be particularly important. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of self-criticism and self-reassurance on the association between attachment-related anxiety and avoidance and dyadic adjustment. About 230 individuals from a community sample completed an online battery of self-report measures of adult attachment, dyadic adjustment, and forms of self-criticism and self-reassuring. A parallel mediation model was tested. Data showed that attachment anxiety and avoidance were associated with poorer dyadic adjustment through high levels of self-criticism in the form of an inadequate self. Our findings highlight the importance of targeting feelings of self-inadequacy in couple therapy to promote better dyadic adjustment and relationship functioning. The innovative contribution of this work is the identification of a new mechanism underlying the association between adult attachment and dyadic functioning. Self-criticism in the form of an inadequate self mediates the association between attachment and dyadic adjustment. Although correlated with attachment dimensions and dyadic adjustment, the hated self and the reassured self do not act as mediators of the relationship between attachment and dyadic adjustment. It seems important to evaluate and address feelings of inadequacy in the context of couple therapy.

Depressive symptoms in the transition to menopause: the roles of irritability, personality vulnerability, and self-regulation.

Although the transition to menopause represents a period of risk for depressive symptoms, there is little research into personality or trait-like factors that may confer vulnerability to depression during the transition to menopause. This study investigated whether the personality trait of self-criticism moderated the effects of irritability on depressive symptoms in women transitioning to menopause and whether these effects were mediated by lower levels of emotional regulation. Participants were 376 women, of whom 157 had entered the transition phase to menopause. These women in the transition phase completed measures of self-criticism, irritable mood, emotional regulation, and depressive symptoms. All analyses controlled for attitudes toward menopause and somatic symptoms. Moderated mediation regression analyses showed that higher levels of irritability were associated with poorer emotional regulation in highly self-critical women, but not in less self-critical women, and poorer emotional regulation was, in turn, related to higher levels depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that the transition to menopause may represent an especially vulnerable period for women with high levels of self-criticism. Although irritability is transitory for most women, for women who are highly self-critical, irritability may tax their ability to self-regulate and lead to more encompassing symptoms of depression.

Personality vulnerabilities in adolescent suicidality: The mediating role of psychological distress.

The research literature consistently indicates that self-criticism is related to suicidality. Evidence for the role of dependency, however, is more controversial. This study examines the extent to which these personality vulnerabilities are mediated by psychological distress in the prediction of suicidality. As part of a study of adolescent psychopathology, a sample of 260 Portuguese adolescents (148 [56.9 %] female and 112 [43.1%] male), ranging in age from 15 to 18 years (M = 16.32, SD = 1.19) completed measures of personality, suicidal behavior, and current distress, in counterbalanced order. The measures were: self-criticism and dependency from the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for Adolescents; two psychological distress scales, social withdrawal from the Youth Self Report and depression from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Scale; and a measure of suicidality from the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire Revised. Structural equation modeling indicated that self-criticism and dependency were both significantly associated with suicidality. Psychological distress, however, as measured by withdrawal and depression, fully mediated these relationships, but did not moderate them. The authors conclude that adolescents with higher levels of self-criticism and dependency are at greater risk for experiencing intense psychological distress-high levels of social withdrawal and depression-that account for their vulnerability to suicide risk.

Le phénomène de l’imposteur, la peur qui mine la réussite

Découvert et identifié en 1985 par Clance [1] , le phénomène de l’imposteur concerne des personnes qui, en dépit de signes évidents et objectifs de réussites, ne parviennent à s’estimer responsables de leur succès ou mériter leur récompense. Facteurs étiologiques multiples, caractéristiques précises, conséquences variables sur le bien-être et le psychisme des individus, le phénomène de l’imposteur a fait l’objet de nombreuses études dans différents pays. Cet article a pour visée d’établir un inventaire des diverses données qui ont pu être mises en évidence au sujet de ses origines conceptuelles, de ses définitions, des causes et antécédents du phénomène, de la description des critères, des conséquences psychologiques et des traitements psychothérapeutiques envisagés atour du phénomène de l’imposteur. Seventy percent of people believe at some point in their career that they do not deserve their success. Discovered and identified in 1985 by Clance [1] , the impostor phenomenon (IP) affects people who, through lack of clear and objective signs of success, are unable to take responsibility for their success. The impostor phenomenon, which has multiple etiological factors, specific characteristics and variable consequences on the well-being and psyche of individuals, has been the object of numerous studies in different countries. The aim of this article is to establish an inventory of identified data regarding the conceptual origins, definitions, causes and antecedents of the phenomenon, as well as a description of criteria, psychological consequences and possible psychotherapeutic treatment of the impostor phenomenon. The IP is defined by several specific notions: feeling of inauthenticity (thoughts, sentiments and actions judged to be fraudulent), fear of being exposed or seen as incompetent, inability to internalize own success, and self-deprecation (high level of self-criticism, high standards of personal success and evaluation). People suffering from IP have real abilities in spite of their beliefs to the contrary, but are not able to attribute success to their own merits, to the point of relativizing it to occurring by luck or by chance, and not through intelligence or competence. They demonstrate low expectations with regard to future success, think that their abilities have been overestimated by others and live in the fear of being exposed as a fraud. The origins of IP can be found in different factors including the nature of parental messages (focused on intelligence, success, competitive values, the need to please, the desire for approval), the developmental environment and family dynamics (lack of support, expressivity or attention, strong degree of control, conflict or overprotection) as well as personality traits (neurotic, anxious or perfectionist). The IP is marked by six characteristics: the impostor cycle, the need to be the best, success in all aspects of life, fear of failure, denial of abilities and fear of success. Not everyone who suffers from IP necessarily manifests the six characteristics but a minimum of two criteria must be present. People suffering from IP have a strong need to appear competent in many fields to avoid being found out, whilst having a particular relationship based on doubt, anxiety and worry with regard to current tasks, their fulfilment and the possibilities for success but also failure. IP can be associated with a wide psychopathological spectrum, with a real impact on psychological well-being (burnout, stress, anxiety, depression, psychological distress, suicidal risk). But the presence of a specific comorbidity or epidemiological risk has not yet been established. The tendency of IP subjects to overestimate the frequency of their errors causes them to have a low level of satisfaction in their performance and low self-confidence. They have low self-esteem and a deep feeling of inferiority. A certain number of maladaptive thoughts, which seem to be part of IP are also noted. In addition to the tendency to poorly estimate their competencies and abilities, the individual affected by IP also seems to exhibit dichotomous thinking which forces them to see their abilities as insufficient matched by a desire to be “the best” in all fields. Nevertheless, studies describing the therapeutic processes dealing with IP are rare. Fear of success, fear of failure, perfectionism, the need to be the best and generalization are all negative dysfunctional cognitions, which require in-depth and varied work. The challenges in the treatment of IP are centred on the possibility of the subject to come out of solitude (group therapy), the identification of dysfunctional attitudes (cognitive dissonance, superstitious rituals, self-disabling strategies), the construction of a better process of internalization (reconstitution and correction of relational experiences, weekly attribution tasks), the restitution of a realistic self-image (struggle against the false self, empathetic listening, non-judgement, authenticity) and the decrease of dependency by the subject on positive evaluation (representation of performance and intelligent, irrational beliefs, unconditional self-acceptance).

Thinness in the Pursuit for Social Safeness: An Integrative Model of Social Rank Mentality to Explain Eating Psychopathology

The current study tests a model based on social rank mentality investigating whether women who feel inferior and believe others see them negatively, and feel under pressure to compete to avoid social inferiority, present increased body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness and whether these associations are mediated by distinct emotional regulation processes. The predictions from the model proposed were examined through path analyses, in a sample of 125 women from the general population and 102 patients with eating disorders. Results showed that the path model explained 51% of body dissatisfaction variance and 61% of drive for thinness and allowed us to confirm that social ranking variables increased drive for thinness through higher levels of self-criticism and lower levels of self-compassion. The findings suggest that the nuclear eating disorders' features arise as a result of a more self-critical and less compassionate attitude with the self, in the context of a mentality focused on social ranking and competition. The current study explores an innovative comprehensive model based on social rank theory to understand eating disorders' symptoms in women. A mentality focused on ranking, shame and competition predicts body image dissatisfaction. This ranking-focused mentality, along with body image dissatisfaction, leads to drive for thinness through increased self-criticism and decreased self-compassion. These findings support the emergent psychotherapeutic approaches for eating disorders that target self-criticism and self-compassion.

Personality Predispositions to Depression in Children of Affectively-Ill Parents: The Buffering Role of Self-Esteem

A major theory of personality predispositions to depression posits that individuals who possess high levels of self-criticism and/or dependency are vulnerable to developing depression following negative life events. The goal of the current study was to test this theory of personality predispositions and the self-esteem buffering hypothesis in a sample of youth using an idiographic approach, a high-risk sample, and a multiwave longitudinal design. One hundred forty children aged 6 to 14 completed measures of dependency, self-criticism, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. Over the course of the following year, 8 follow-up assessments were conducted 6 weeks apart during which all children were administered measures assessing depressive symptoms and the occurrence of negative events. Results of hierarchical linear modeling analyses indicated that higher levels of dependency were associated with greater increases in depressive symptoms following negative events among children possessing low, but not high, self-esteem. In contrast, self-criticism was not associated with changes in depressive symptoms over time regardless of children's levels of stress and/or self-esteem.

Distress Mediates the Association Between Personality Predispositions and Suicidality: A Preliminary Study in a Portuguese Community Sample

The present study examined whether distress mediates the relationship between suicidality and the personality predispositions of Self-Criticism, Dependency/Neediness, and Efficacy. A community sample of Portuguese young adults (N = 105) completed, in a counterbalanced order, a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and reports of any suicide attempts and/or ideation. Structural equation modeling indicated that Self-Criticism is significantly associated with suicidality, but Dependency and Efficacy are not. High levels of Self-Criticism and of Dependency and low levels of Efficacy are associated with distress. Distress mediates the association between Self-Criticism and suicidality; whereas Dependency and Efficacy are indirectly associated with suicidality through their associations with distress. Self-Critical and Dependent individuals are at greater risk for suicide because of their vulnerability to distressful events; whereas certain levels of Efficacy may decrease vulnerability to distress and suicide risk.

Interpretation bias in Cluster-C and borderline personality disorders

Cognitive therapy (CT) assumes that personality disorders (PDs) are characterized by interpretational biases that maintain the disorder. Changing interpretations is therefore a major aim of CT of PDs. This study tested whether Borderline PD (BPD), Avoidant and Dependent PD (AV/DEPD), and Obsessive–Compulsive PD (OCPD) are characterized by specific interpretations. Among the 122 participants there were 55 PD patients (17 BPD, 30 AV/DEPD, 29 OCPD diagnoses), 26 axis-1 patients, and 41 nonpatients. Participants put themselves into 10 scripts of negative events and noted feelings, thoughts and behaviors that came to mind. Next, they chose between hypothesized BPD-specific, AV/DEPD-specific, and OCPD-specific interpretations of each event (forced choice). Lastly, participants rated belief in each interpretation. Regression analyses revealed that forced choices and belief ratings supported the CT-model of BPD and AV/DEP: interpretations were specific. The alleged OCPD-beliefs were however not specifically related to OCPD, with relatively high popularity in axis-1 patients and nonpatients. The open responses were classified by judges blind for diagnoses, with the following results. BPD was characterized by low levels of solution-focused and healthy-flexible/accepting responses, and higher levels of criticizing others and malevolent interpretations of others. AV/DEPD was characterized by lower levels of solution-focused responses, and higher levels of self-criticism, negative emotions, guilt and fear of judgment, as well as lower levels of other-criticism. OCPD only showed trends for lower healthy responses, and higher compulsiveness and worry. It is concluded that the assumptions of CT are supported for BPD and AV/DEPD, but not – at least not on the explicit interpretational level – for OCPD. CT of OCPD might need a slightly different approach.

The mediating role of self-criticism and dependency in the association between perceptions of maternal caring and depressive symptoms

This study examined a theoretically based mediation model including participants' perceptions of early relationships with their mother, self-criticism, dependency, and current depressive symptoms. We expect that (a) early relationships characterized by low levels of care and high levels of overprotection will be positively associated with both current depressive state and self-criticism and dependency; (b) high levels of self-criticism and dependency will be positively associated with depressive symptoms; and (c) self-criticism and dependency will play a mediating role in the association between participants' perceptions of early relationships characterized by low levels of care and high levels of overprotection and their current depressive symptoms. A nonclinical community sample of 200 Portuguese adults participated in the study. Perceptions of early relationships were measured using the mother scales of the Parental Bonding Instrument (Parker et al. [1979: Br J Med Psychol 52:1-10]), levels of self-criticism and dependency were measured using the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (Blatt et al. [1976: J Abn Psy 6:383-389]), and depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for the Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale (Radloff [1977: Appl Psychol Meas 1:385-401]. Structural equation modeling showed that the link between participants' perceptions of early caretaking relationships with their mothers and their current depressive symptoms is mediated by high levels of self-criticism--a personality trait associated with vulnerability to depression--but not Dependency. However, an ancillary analysis indicated that the link between participants' perceptions of early maternal overprotective relationships and their current depressive symptoms is mediated by high levels of Neediness. Findings underscore the role of perceived early relationships in psychological vulnerability to depression among highly self-critical and among highly needy individuals and highlight the negative role played by perceived mothers' early dysfunctional practices, characterized by low levels of caring and high levels of overprotection, for the self-critical vulnerability to depression and by perceived mothers' high levels of overprotection, for the neediness vulnerability to depression. These potential causal mechanisms warrant longitudinal evaluation. Theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Having a word with yourself: Neural correlates of self-criticism and self-reassurance

Self-criticism is strongly correlated with a range of psychopathologies, such as depression, eating disorders and anxiety. In contrast, self-reassurance is inversely associated with such psychopathologies. Despite the importance of self-judgements and evaluations, little is known about the neurophysiology of these internal processes. The current study therefore used a novel fMRI task to investigate the neuronal correlates of self-criticism and self-reassurance. Participants were presented statements describing two types of scenario, with the instruction to either imagine being self-critical or self-reassuring in that situation. One scenario type focused on a personal setback, mistake or failure, which would elicit negative emotions, whilst the second was of a matched neutral event. Self-criticism was associated with activity in lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) regions and dorsal anterior cingulate (dAC), therefore linking self-critical thinking to error processing and resolution, and also behavioural inhibition. Self-reassurance was associated with left temporal pole and insula activation, suggesting that efforts to be self-reassuring engage similar regions to expressing compassion and empathy towards others. Additionally, we found a dorsal/ventral PFC divide between an individual's tendency to be self-critical or self-reassuring. Using multiple regression analyses, dorsolateral PFC activity was positively correlated with high levels of self-criticism (assessed via self-report measure), suggesting greater error processing and behavioural inhibition in such individuals. Ventrolateral PFC activity was positively correlated with high self-reassurance. Our findings may have implications for the neural basis of a range of mood disorders that are characterised by a preoccupation with personal mistakes and failures, and a self-critical response to such events.

Long-term effects of the British evacuation of children during World War 2 on their adult mental health

Objectives: This study of 870 respondents aged 62–72 years investigates possible long-term effects on adult mental health due to temporary childhood separation by evacuation in the United Kingdom during World War 2. Method: Using univariate and multivariate analyses associations were examined between upbringing, evacuation experience and certain life-course variables with the lifetime incidence of depression and clinical anxiety, and also with the dependency and self-critical factors of the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) (Blatt, S.J., D’Affitti, J.P., & Quinlan, D.M. (1976). Experiences of depression in normal young adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 85, 383–389.) were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Those evacuated at a young age, 4–6 years, or who received poor foster care, were found to be at a greater risk of depression and clinical anxiety, with high levels of self-criticism. Compared to other groups respondents evacuated at 13–15 years age, who received good care, had reduced incidences of both affective disorders, comparable to those who were not evacuated. The quality of home nurture was also found to be significantly associated with both disorders. Structural equation models for each sex based on those variables significantly associated with depression explained 45% of the variance of the incidence of depression for males and 25% for females. The models also confirmed the relatively high levels of dependency for females and their vulnerability to these levels in terms of depression. Conclusion: The study demonstrated significant associations between childhood experiences and lifespan mental health, reinforcing the importance of knowledge of childhood history in the clinical treatment of older adults.

Integrating Two Subtypes of Depression

According to Blatt and Zuroff's 1992 specific vulnerability hypothesis, individuals high in self-criticism or dependency will likely exhibit increases in depressive symptoms following negative achievement and interpersonal events, respectively. The hopelessness theory hypothesizes a distinct subtype of depression, hopelessness depression, with a unique symptom profile. Recent evidence suggests a possible link between dependency or self-criticism and hopelessness depression. The present study examined whether early adolescents with high levels of self-criticism and/or dependency are vulnerable to developing hopelessness depression symptoms following negative events congruent with their personality predispositions. Seventy-nine seventh grade children completed questionnaires assessing self-criticism, dependency, and depressive symptoms. Ten weeks later, depressive symptoms and the occurrence of negative events were assessed. In line with hypotheses, children high in self-criticism exhibited increases in hopelessness but not nonhopelessness depression symptoms following negative achievement but not interpersonal events. Contrary to predictions, children high in dependency exhibited no increases in hopelessness or nonhopelessness depression symptoms following negative events in either domain.

Self-criticism, dependency and posttraumatic stress disorder among a female group of help-seeking victims of domestic violence in Israel

The purpose of the present study was to broaden our knowledge about the association between personality characteristics and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among victims of domestic violence (VDV). Specifically, the study explored the relationship between the personality styles of self-criticism and dependency and PTSD among help-seeking women who are female victims of domestic violence in Israel. The sample comprised 91 women aged 20–60 who applied to Domestic Violence Treatment and Prevention Centers for treatment. They were administered questionnaires relating background variables, previous traumatic events, personality styles (self-criticism and dependency) and the intensity of PTSD. The findings suggest that the self-critical personality style was significantly associated with PTSD intensity. Furthermore, the dependency personality style was a moderating factor to the association between self-criticism and PTSD. At high levels of self-criticism, dependency had no influence on the intensity of PTSD, but at low levels of self-criticism, high levels of dependency moderated the intensity of PTSD.

Psychologic and obstetric predictors of couples’ grief during pregnancy after miscarriage or perinatal death

Objective: To determine if the psychologic constructs of self-criticism and marital adjustment, considered jointly with obstetric and demographic factors, are significant predictors of grief during a pregnancy after a miscarriage or perinatal death. Methods: Participants included 60 pregnant women with previous miscarriages or perinatal deaths, and 50 of their partners. Participants completed a package of psychometric instruments between the tenth and 19th week of gestation. Predictors of grief (active grief, difficulty coping, despair) included (1) psychologic factors: marital adjustment and self-criticism; (2) demographic factors: age and number of living children; and (3) obstetric factors: gestational age at time of loss, number of losses, and time between loss and subsequent conception. Results: Stepwise regression analyses were conducted for each grief component for women and men. For women, active grief was significantly associated with high self-criticism and later losses ( R 2 = 0.31). Later losses and longer time between loss and conception were significantly associated with difficulty coping ( R 2 = 0.55) and despair ( R 2 = 0.44). In men, active grief was associated with high self-criticism and later losses ( R 2 = 0.28), difficulty coping ( R 2 = 0.18), and despair ( R 2 = 0.25) with high self-criticism. A trend was found for poor marital adjustment to be associated with higher levels of difficulty coping and despair in men. Conclusion: High levels of self-criticism and later gestational age at time of loss are predictors of increased grief during a pregnancy after a miscarriage or perinatal death. Increased time between loss and subsequent conception is also predictive of increased grief for women. For men, low levels of marital adjustment are predictive of increased grief. These results may be helpful in counselling couples considering pregnancy after a loss.