Self-critical Thoughts Research Articles

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Self-Compassion for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder: A Case Study

The current case describes the implementation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and self-compassion interventions with a 37-year-old Queer Hispanic woman “Cynthia” (pseudonym). Cynthia presented to a university training clinic, reporting pervasive difficulties with anxiety, an associated pattern of depressive episodes, and a trauma history. The therapist conceptualized Cynthia’s presenting problems through an ACT-based psychological flexibility framework. Functional analysis indicated intolerance of uncertainty, fusion to self-critical thoughts, and experientially avoidant behaviors (e.g., pervasive worry) contributed to Cynthia’s anxiety. Values clarification, as well as mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions, were met with gains in quality-of-life scores and decreases in worry scores as treatment progressed. Additionally, self-compassion interventions were implemented to address pervasive self-criticism and feelings of low self-worth. Across 37 sessions, from pre-to-post treatment, Cynthia’s quality of life scores increased by 62.5%, and worry decreased by 52.8%. These results provide support for using ACT and self-compassion interventions for anxiety and co-occurring depression with a Queer, Hispanic woman.

"After the thrill is gone": The role of psychotherapy in coping with romantic breakups.

To investigate the perceptions of ex-romantic partners regarding the extent to which and ways in which psychotherapy facilitates coping with the consequences of the dissolution of past relationships, a multipart survey (Representations of Past Significant Others) that included Likert-type, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions about the ways in which individuals remember a past significant relationship and the ways in which they have moved toward closure from that relationship was disseminated via social media and networking. An attachment status measure (Experience in Close Relationship Scale-Short Form) was also administered. A total of 1,846 respondents, mean age 30.6 and predominantly White, heterosexual, female, and from the United States, completed the survey, 74.6% of whom attended psychotherapy post breakup. On average, respondents who engaged in therapy following their breakup found it to be moderately to very helpful; younger respondents, those in longer term relationships, and those with higher scores on the Experience in Close Relationship Scale-Short Form Anxiety subscale evaluated the helpfulness of therapy more highly. Multiple clinical interventions were perceived as helpful in coping with romantic breakups, including normalizing respondents' feelings about their experience, encouraging them to be more aware of their feelings, encouraging them to move forward with their lives, reminding them of their strengths, exploring the story of the relationship and the breakup, and challenging their self-critical thoughts or feelings. Understanding who is best served by postbreakup therapy and the specific interventions, psychotherapeutic and otherwise, that move individuals toward closure may facilitate therapists' efforts to help with this common source of client distress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

“I’m so dumb and worthless right now”: factors associated with heightened momentary self-criticism in daily life

ABSTRACT Self-criticism is a trait associated with increased psychopathology, but self-criticism is also a personality state reflecting an action that people do in moments of time. In the current study, we explored factors associated with heightened self-criticism in daily life. Participants (N = 197) received five random prompts per day for one week on their mobile phones, where they reported their current affect (negative and positive affect), willpower self-efficacy, distress intolerance, degree of support and criticism from others, current context (location, activity, hunger, tiredness) and momentary self-criticism. We first demonstrated that self-criticism varies over time and across contexts, and is associated with heightened trait self-criticism. Then, using multilevel modelling, we explored the contextual factors associated with greater self-criticism. We found that self-criticism was higher when people were at home, and more tired. We also found higher self-criticism to be associated with greater negative and lower positive affect, greater distress intolerance, lower willpower and greater perceived criticism from others. In addition, self-criticism predicted subsequent distress intolerance, willpower and positive affect in lagged analyses. This study provides evidence that both environmental and psychological factors are associated with the dynamics of self-critical thoughts.

A single-session VR intervention addressing self-compassion and self-criticism with and without perspective change: Results of a randomized controlled experiment

Excessive self-criticism is an important transdiagnostic psychological factor. In contrast, self-compassion can contribute to the resilience and recovery of clinical populations, making this an important target for treatment. Virtual Reality (VR) has the potential to improve existing interventions as it allows for personalized roleplays that can be experienced from different perspectives, by using the novel VR technique of perspective change. We investigated the effects of a VR intervention on self-criticism and self-compassion, and the added value of changing perspectives. In total, 68 undergraduate students with high levels of self-criticism were randomized to either the perspective change condition or the control condition. Participants played two roleplays in which they had to react compassionately toward a virtual character that expressed the participants' own self-critical thoughts. In the perspective change condition, after each roleplay perspective change was used to receive one's own compassionate words. Results showed that self-compassion increased and self-criticism decreased significantly in both conditions. No significant differences were found for negative and positive affect. Furthermore, no differences were found between the conditions. Thus, receiving compassionate words through perspective change had no additional effect. Expressing compassion to someone with similar self-criticism showed to be sufficient to reduce self-criticism and increase self-compassion.

Investigating the Impact of Self-Criticism and Self-Reassurance on the Experience of Distress People with Traumatic Brain Injuries

Objective: To examine whether psychological processes involved in self-appraisal and responses to aversive internal experiences are significant factors in understanding the levels of distress experienced by people following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Participants: One hundred and fifteen people with TBI completed a set of questionnaires. Design: A cross-sectional/observational design employing a multiple hierarchical regression analysis. Main Measures: Emotional distress as measured by Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 item (DASS-21); self-criticism and self-reassurance as measured by Forms of Self-Criticism/Attacking and Self-Reassurance Scale (FSCRS); psychological inflexibility as measured by Flexibility of Responses to Self-Critical Thoughts (FoReST). Result: Self-criticism, self-reassurance and psychological inflexibility explained an additional 30% of variance in emotional distress beyond demographic, clinical and injury-related factors, with only self-criticism making a significant independent contribution. Exploratory moderation analysis revealed that there was no significant effect on emotional distress when considering the interaction between self-criticism with self-reassurance and psychological inflexibility. Conclusion: While emotional distress is common following TBI, there remains no demographic, clinical or injury-related factors that have demonstrated consistent associations with the level of emotional distress experienced. The present study demonstrates that psychological factors, relating to personal evaluations, explains considerable variance in emotional distress beyond demographic and injury-related factors. These processes may help identify those at risk of poorer emotional outcomes following TBI, and targeting these processes via psychological interventions may improve emotional wellbeing in these people.

Eye Movement Desentization and Reproccessing (EMDR) For Exam Anxiety : A Case Report

Exam anxiety causes poor academic performance and psychological problems for students. Those who have test anxiety; When they will take the exam, they encounter undesirable situations due to tension, anxiety and overstimulation of the central nervous system. Repetitive and self-critical thoughts that cause anxiety, physiological arousal, and marked emotional problems are associated with test anxiety. Negative experiences related to the exam before can also cause exam anxiety. It is known that various psychotherapy methods are useful for the treatment of test anxiety. There are few publications reporting that the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) method has been tried in the treatment of test anxiety. In this study, brief information about the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) method is given, and a 17-year-old case with intense test anxiety and a decrease in anxiety level as a result of the EMDR study is presented. In the counselee, who had intense anxiety and fear about the university exam, it was evaluated that this anxiety was related to the experience he had in the high school exam, and after the EMDR treatment, the counselee settled in a 4-year department of a well-established state university in Istanbul, which he targeted after the university selection and placement exam. Based on the case presented in this study, it can be said that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) method can be used as an effective treatment technique in exam anxiety caused by trauma.

The Associations Among Self-Compassion, Self-Esteem, Self-Criticism, and Concern Over Mistakes in Response to Biomechanical Feedback in Athletes.

Athletes regularly face the possibility of failing to meet expectations in training and competition, and it is essential that they are equipped with strategies to facilitate coping after receiving performance feedback. Self-compassion is a potential resource to help athletes manage the various setbacks that arise in sport over and above other psychological resources. The primary purpose of this research was to explore how athletes respond to objective biomechanical feedback given after a performance. Specifically, we investigated if levels of self-compassion, self-esteem, self-criticism, and concern over mistakes were related to one another before and after a series of sprint tests interspersed with biomechanical feedback, and whether self-compassionate athletes achieved a better sprint performance after receiving and implementing biomechanical feedback. Forty-eight athletes (20 female: Mage = 19.8 years, SD = 3.1; 28 male: Mage = 23.6 years, SD = 7.8) completed online measures of self-compassion, self-esteem, self-criticism and concern over mistakes before performing four sets of 40-m sprints. Participants received personalized biomechanical feedback after each sprint that compared their performance to gold standard results. Following all sprints, they then completed measures of self-criticism, and reported emotions, thoughts, and reactions. Self-compassion was positively correlated with self-esteem (r = 0.57, p < 0.01) and negatively related to both self-criticism (r = −0.52, p < 0.01) and concern over mistakes (r = −0.69, p < 0.01). We also found that athletes with higher levels of self-compassion prior to sprint performance experienced less self-critical thoughts following biomechanical feedback and subsequent sprint trials (r = −0.38, p < 0.01). Although the results of this study provide some support for the effectiveness of self-compassion in promoting healthy emotions, thoughts, and reactions in response to sprint performance-based biomechanical feedback, a moderated regression analysis between the first and fourth sprint time variables revealed that self-compassion was not a moderator for change in sprint performance (R2 = 0.64, ΔR2 = 0.10, p > 0.05). These findings suggest that there are likely longer-term benefits of athletes using self-compassion to cope with biomechanical feedback, but that any benefits might be limited in a short series of sprint trials.

The Enemy Within

This article describes a dramatic and powerful division within the mind that exists, to varying degrees, in all people. Acknowledging this split, between self and antiself, is not only crucial to understanding human behavior in general; it is also fundamental to comprehending psychopathology. Early in life, children incorporate hurtful, rejecting, and hostile attitudes that were consciously or unconsciously directed toward them by their parents and other family members. When parents are the most traumatizing, children cease to identify with themselves; instead, they identify with the frightening parent and take on their critical, hostile, negative attitudes in the form of a self-critical, self-hating internal voice. In our initial investigations into the voice, my associates and I were shocked at the powerful outpourings of anger and vitriolic hatred that people expressed toward themselves and others when they verbalized their self-critical thoughts. I became acutely aware of the degree to which the voice undermines people’s ability to cope with life and restricts their satisfaction in personal relationships. Last, I describe Voice Therapy, a methodology that exposes and counteracts the dictates of the inner voice, and focus on the impact that this fragmentation has on the divisiveness within the individual and society.

Preliminary findings on processes of change and moderators for cognitive defusion and restructuring delivered through mobile apps

A process-based therapy approach emphasizes examining how and for whom specific therapeutic components linked to specific processes of change function. This preliminary study explored the processes of change for cognitive defusion and restructuring with daily ratings of self-criticism from a larger component trial as well as self-compassion as a moderator of these daily effects. A sample of 51 adults high in self-criticism (M age = 22.69, 78% female, 88% non-Hispanic White) were randomized to a cognitive defusion or restructuring mobile app for two weeks and completed daily assessments. Both conditions improved over time on daily frequency, defused noticing, challenging, and believability of self-critical thoughts as well as valued actions, with larger improvements in the defusion condition only for thought frequency and defused noticing. Global self-compassion moderated several effects such that only participants lower in self-compassion improved over time on daily self-criticism processes in the restructuring condition, while effects over time in the defusion condition generally did not vary by level of self-compassion. Improvements in daily frequency, defused noticing, and challenging self-critical thoughts as well as valued action each predicted global improvements in self-criticism at post-intervention across conditions. Overall, these preliminary results suggest cognitive defusion and restructuring may have some similar effects on self-criticism related processes of change, particularly for those low in self-compassion. However, defusion may produce larger effects on some targeted processes, especially among those with higher self-compassion.

Turkish Version of the Forms of Responding to Self-Critical Thoughts Scale (FoReST): A Reliability and Validity Analysis over Non-Clinical Samples

Background: Forms of Responding to Self-Critical Thoughts Scale’ (FoReST) is a self-evaluating scale that measures how flexible people respond to self-critical thoughts psychologically. This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of FoReSt over a non-clinical sample. Methods: The study group consists of 109 university students. A demographic form, the Turkish version of FoReST, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-2), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) have been applied. Internal consistency, construct validity, convergent and concurrent validity, and temporal stability have been examined. Results: The data from 109 participants indicate satisfactory reliability and validity of the Turkish version of FoReST. The Turkish version of FoReST shows good internal consistency with Cronbach’s α = 0.72. The test-retest analysis shows good temporal stability (r = 0.781, p < 0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) shows the Turkish version to have a two-dimensional structure just like the original form and to indicate good fit. (χ2 = 37.84, df = 25, χ2 / df = 1.35; RMSEA = 0.07; CFI = 0.95; TLI = 0.93; SRMR = 0.09). Pearson’s correlation analysis for convergent and concurrent validity show correlations to exist among FoReST, AAQ-2, SCS, RSE, and GHQ-2 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The Turkish version of FoReST is a valid and reliable scale for the Turkish speaking population. This scale can measure attitudes toward self-critical thoughts from the point of view of psychological flexibility.

Cultivating Self-Compassion to Improve Mental Health in Autistic Adults.

What is self-compassion?: Self-compassion is when we: are friendly toward ourselves (kindness)are aware of our feelings and thoughts (mindful awareness)realize that everyone feels pain and makes mistakes (common humanity)What is the purpose of this article?: We think that practicing self-compassion is important for autistic adults. No research has studied self-compassion in autistic individuals. We provide examples of how to improve self-compassion. We make recommendations for future research on self-compassion for autistic adults.What perspectives do the authors bring to this subject?: We bring together different and unique perspectives in this article. One author is a researcher whose research has focused on emotion regulation and mental health in autistic youth and adults. The other author is a self-compassion researcher who is also a private practice clinical psychologist. We have practiced self-compassion and personally experienced the benefits of developing our self-compassion skills. We think that cultivating self-compassion has helped to improve our mental health and enriched our lives.Why is self-compassion important?: Self-compassion is associated with a lot of positive aspects of life in nonautistic individuals. These positive aspects include greater happiness and well-being, and lower levels of depression and anxiety symptoms.How is self-compassion relevant to autistic adults?: We know that as a group, autistic adults have poorer mental health when compared with nonautistic adults. That is, autistic adults experience higher rates of anxiety and depression. Research shows that practicing self-compassion in nonautistic people can improve their mental health. We think that cultivating self-compassion can also be helpful to autistic adults.What do the authors recommend?: We suggest that cultivating self-compassion may improve the mental health of autistic adults. There are several ways to improve self-compassion. Self-compassion can be improved by identifying and practicing self-compassionate behaviors. For example, we can take a walk outside. Another way to improve self-compassion is to record our thoughts. This can be performed by keeping a log of self-critical thoughts. We can also practice self-compassion by meditating. It is too early to tell how self-compassion should be practiced by autistic adults. Research is needed to observe if self-compassion is helpful to autistic adults. We made a series of recommendations for researchers and clinicians. Researchers should first check if there is a relationship between self-compassion and mental health in autistic adults. If more self-compassion is associated with better mental health, then researchers and clinicians can try and find out how we can improve autistic people's self-compassion.How will these recommendations help autistic adults now or in the future?: We hope that our recommendations will start a conversation on the relevance of self-compassion for autistic adults and lead to the development of self-compassion-related research programs that involve autistic adults. The ultimate goal is to improve the mental health and psychological well-being of autistic adults in the future.

The Effect of State and Trait Self-Critical Rumination on Acute Distress: An Exploratory Experimental Investigation

Self-critical rumination is a process whereby individuals focus attention on past failures and inadequacies without consideration for improvement or problem-solving. Past research has demonstrated that self-critical rumination is a separate process from the experience of having intrusive self-critical thoughts and that engaging in self-critical rumination is strongly correlated with beliefs that it is uncontrollable or represents a weakness of character. What is less clear at this time, however, is the impact that self-critical rumination has on levels of distress when faced with failure. Thirty volunteers who were not experiencing significant levels of depression were randomly assigned across three groups: one rumination and two controls. Acute distress was measured prior to and immediately following a task, as well as upon debrief. Individuals expected to complete an impossible task, who experienced simulated self-critical rumination experienced greater levels of acute distress than controls immediately following the task. There was also a significant correlation between reported levels of trait self-critical rumination, negative metacognitive beliefs and self-esteem with levels of distress following debrief when controlling for initial levels of distress and group membership. The use of subjective self-reports and small sample size limits the findings of this exploratory study. Engaging in self-critical rumination, and associated negative metacognitive beliefs, may have a significant impact on levels of acute distress following a recent failure.

The development of the ‘Forms of Responding to Self-Critical Thoughts Scale’ (FoReST)

BackgroundSelf–critical thoughts are a feature of many mental health problems. Adopting a psychologically flexible response to thoughts has been highlighted as a key determinant of wellbeing. But, the measurement of psychological flexibility (PF) in relation to self-critical thoughts is under-developed. This paper reports on the development of the Forms of Responding to Self-Critical Thoughts Scale (FoReST). MethodStudy One involved the development and exploratory factor analysis of the FoReST in a convenience sample of 253 non-clinical adults. Study Two was a confirmatory factor analysis study of the FoReST in a sample of 110 University students. Study 3 explored the convergent and concurrent validity of the FoReST by examining associations with measures of similar constructs (PF, self-compassion, self-criticism) and relevant mental health measures (anxiety, depression, distress). Study 3 also explored the FoReST's incremental validity for predicting depression and anxiety levels beyond an established measure of self-critical thinking. ResultsIn Study One, exploratory factor analysis produced a 9-item/2-factor solution (unworkable action and mindful acceptance). The measure demonstrated good internal consistency. In Study 2, the confirmatory factor analysis also indicated a 2-factor model (unworkable action and mindful acceptance) and overall internal consistency that was excellent. In Study Three, the FoReST demonstrated high convergent validity with similar measures, and good concurrent validity with mental health outcomes. Analyses also indicted good incremental validity for the FoReST for predicting HADS depression and anxiety scores. ConclusionsThe FoReST appears to be a psychometrically sound measure suitable for measuring change processes in third wave therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-based Interventions and Compassion Focused therapy.

The Role of Prefrontal Cortical Surface Area and Volume in Preclinical Suicidal Ideation in a Non-Clinical Sample.

Suicidal ideation (SUI) can occur in the absence of concomitant psychiatric diagnoses, and even normal levels can be problematic among individuals experiencing excess stress or lack of social support. The objective of this study was to investigate the neuroanatomical basis of SUI in non-clinical human populations who are within the normal limits of SUI, after accounting for elevated stress and perceived lack of social support. Neuroanatomical data were collected from 55 healthy individuals (mean age 30.9 ± 8.1 years, 27 females) whose depression severity levels were below the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. Measures of SUI, aggression, stress, non-support, and treatment rejection were collected from the treatment-consideration scales (TCS) of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). Correlations between standardized SUI scores and three brain morphometry measures, including vertex wise cortical thickness (CT), cortical surface area (CSA), and cortical volume (CV), were estimated for each participant, controlling for age, sex, intracranial volume, and the remaining TCS measures. We observed a significant negative association between scores on SUI and both CSA and CV (cluster-forming threshold of p < 0.005, clusterwise threshold of p < 0.05, FDR corrected for multiple comparisons) within the left rostral middle frontal gyrus. Our findings suggest that greater CSA and CV within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are associated with reduced SUI in a non-clinical population with mild levels of stress and perceived lack of social support. Because the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has been broadly linked to cognitive reappraisal, self-critical thoughts, and emotional regulation, greater CSA and CV within these regions may lead to better mental health by protecting healthy individuals from engaging in SUI during periods of stress and perceived insufficient social support. As our data consisted of only healthy individuals with non-clinical levels of SUI, further investigation will be necessary to explore the neural basis of SUI in populations who may be at greater risk of future suicidal behavior

A Daily Diary Investigation of the Defective Self Model Among College Students With Recent Self-Injury

The Defective Self Model of self-injury (Hooley, Ho, Slater, & Lockshin, 2010) asserts that individuals choose to self-injure to gratify the desire for self-punishment associated with a self-critical cognitive style. Specifically, self-injury is used to regulate negative self-directed thoughts and emotions and is made accessible via the belief that the individual deserves punishment. This study sought to test primary assumptions of the Defective Self Model using a 2-week daily diary protocol. It was hypothesized that trait self-criticism would predict daily self-injury urge intensity and behaviors directly, as well as indirectly, through daily thoughts about deserving punishment. We also posited that guilt would predict self-injury urge intensity and behaviors beyond sadness, hostility, and fear. Support for primary hypotheses was mixed. Self-criticism did not directly predict self-injury outcomes, but did indirectly predict urge intensity through daily thoughts about punishment. Daily guilt predicted self-injury urge intensity beyond daily sadness, hostility and fear and was the only type of negative affect associated with self-injury behavior. Results are primarily contextualized through a social cognitive lens in which self-injury urge is precipitated by the activation of a self-critical schema in daily life. Alternatively, self-criticism may serve as a gateway to initial self-injury but lack the sensitivity to predict individual self-injury episodes. Treatments designed to reduce self-critical thoughts and bolster self-compassion may decrease self-injury urge intensity, thereby affecting the frequency of self-injury episodes.

Self-critical rumination as a mediator between attachment orientations and perceived stress: Evidence from a cross-cultural validation of the self-critical rumination scale

This study aimed to examine whether attachment orientations (anxiety and avoidance) were associated with perceived stress through self-critical rumination (a specific type of rumination focused on the content of self-critical thoughts). It also aimed to examine the factor structure of the Portuguese version of the Self-Critical Rumination Scale (SCRS) and to present additional evidence on its construct validity and reliability. A sample of 317 Portuguese women from the general community was recruited online. Participants completed the SCRS and measures of self-compassion, perceived stress, difficulties in emotion regulation, and adult attachment. The results of the mediation analyses showed that self-critical rumination mediated the association between attachment anxiety and perceived stress but not the association between attachment avoidance and perceived stress. In addition, the SCRS showed good psychometric properties. Specifically, the scale showed adequate reliability (Cronbach’s alpha was .933 and composite reliability was .932) and construct validity. Significant correlations were found between the SCRS and measures assessing constructs expected to be associated with self-critical rumination (self-compassion, perceived stress, difficulties in emotion regulation, and attachment anxiety and avoidance). Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the one-factor structure of the Portuguese SCRS. This study identifies a new mechanism underlying the association between adult attachment and perceived stress. In addition, the results of the present study provide further evidence of the internal consistency and construct validity of the SCRS and indicate that the Portuguese version is a psychometrically robust and adequate measure of self-critical rumination.

Altered resting-state connectivity within default mode network associated with late chronotype

Current evidence suggests late chronotype individuals have an increased risk of developing depression. However, the underlying neural mechanisms of this association are not fully understood. Forty-six healthy, right-handed individuals free of current or previous diagnosis of depression, family history of depression or sleep disorder underwent resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rsFMRI). Using an Independent Component Analysis (ICA) approach, the Default Mode Network (DMN) was identified based on a well validated template. Linear effects of chronotype on DMN connectivity were tested for significance using non-parametric permutation tests (applying 5000 permutations). Sleep quality, age, gender, measures of mood and anxiety, time of scan and cortical grey matter volume were included as covariates in the regression model. A significant positive correlation between chronotype and functional connectivity within nodes of the DMN was observed, including; bilateral PCC and precuneus, such that later chronotype (participants with lower rMEQ scores) was associated with decreased connectivity within these regions. The current results appear consistent with altered DMN connectivity in depressed patients and weighted evidence towards reduced DMN connectivity in other at-risk populations which may, in part, explain the increased vulnerability for depression in late chronotype individuals. The effect may be driven by self-critical thoughts associated with late chronotype although future studies are needed to directly investigate this.

The Association Between Self-Critical Rumination and Parenting Stress: The Mediating Role of Mindful Parenting

Self-critical rumination is a type of rumination focused on the content of self-critical thoughts. Although self-criticism and rumination are two maladaptive psychological processes with a negative effect on parenting, including parenting stress, the role of self-critical rumination on parenting outcomes has never been explored. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of self-critical rumination on parenting stress and examine whether mindful parenting dimensions (listening with full attention, compassion for the child, non-judgmental acceptance of parental functioning, emotional awareness of the child, and self-regulation in parenting) mediate this association. The moderating role of child’s age in the direct and indirect effects was also examined. A sample of 265 Portuguese mothers of children/adolescents from the general community completed measures of self-critical rumination, mindful parenting, and parenting stress. Self-critical rumination was negatively associated with all mindful parenting dimensions and positively associated with parenting stress. However, only non-judgmental acceptance of parental functioning and emotional awareness of the child dimensions were significant mediators of the relationship between self-critical rumination and parenting stress. The link between self-critical rumination and parenting stress as well as the indirect effects were not moderated by the child’s age. This study identifies an important maladaptive psychological process (self-critical rumination) that explains individual differences in parenting and a mechanism that may account for the link between self-critical rumination and parenting stress, which can both be modified through intervention.

Compassion and Self-compassion: Conceptualization of and Application to Adjustment to Disability

For many, disability may ignite feelings of grief, sadness, loss, and/or emotional pain. Others discover they harbor negative or self-critical thoughts and beliefs (i.e., blame) which compounds and complicates the personal coping process. Adjustment to disability models exist to help persons with disabilities and professionals understand or explain their negative thoughts, feelings, and experiences; yet, they do not overtly discuss or address emerging skills and approaches such as compassion and selfcompassion as a part of the disability adjustment process. In an effort to change this trend, an eclectic theoretical model which infuses self-compassion and compassion-based techniques has been developed. Rehabilitation counselors are provided with an explanation of the ways existing research on compassion and self-compassion can be used to strengthen their application to the adjustment needs of persons with disabilities. Information about how to incorporate compassion and self-compassion into the rehabilitation counseling adjustment process and recommendations are also provided.

Self-Critical Thinking and Overgeneralization in Depression and Eating Disorders: An Experimental Study.

Self-critical thinking is common across psychological disorders. This study hypothesized that it may play an important role in 'overgeneralization', the process of drawing general implications from an isolated negative experience. To explore the impact of two experimental tasks designed to elicit self-critical thoughts on the endorsement of general negative self-views of clinical and non-clinical populations. Three groups (depression, eating disorders and non-clinical controls), completed standardized questionnaires and the two tasks. Participants rated their self-critical thinking and general negative self-beliefs before and after each task. Following a failure experience, both clinical groups showed a greater increase in general negative self-views compared with controls, indicating greater overgeneralization. Both habitual and increases in state self-critical thinking were associated with overgeneralization while negative perfectionism was not. Overgeneralization was more strongly associated with post-task reduced mood than self-criticism. Self-critical thinking may be an important factor in the process of overgeneralization, and the increase in general negative self-views may be particularly crucial for lowering of mood.