Depression is one of the mental health problems affecting many people around the world. The issue is linked to a wide range of factors that may not be easy to manage or address. In the recent years, concerns have been raised regarding the possible link between self-criticism, dependency, and personality dimensions which can cause vulnerability to depression. Existing literature suggest that those who tend to be self-critical may have a high risk of developing depression. Despite this being the case, there is still no conclusive evidence regarding the relationship between the two variables in diverse populations and settings. Consequently, there is a need to carry out further research on the subject to determine the manner in which self-criticism may be contributing to depressive tendencies.
Literature Review
Researchers and theorists have examined the problem of depression from diverse perspectives. Some of the perspectives that have been explored include cognitive, analytical, and cognitive developmental elements (Dunkley et al., 2020). In the studies, the focus has been on determining the manner in which self-integrity, self-esteem, and self-criticism may be associated with the emergence of depression and depressive symptoms (Dunkley et al., 2020; Ehret et al., 2015). Consistent with the models, research has shown that those who suffer from depression are often self-critical. Such people are concerned about various aspects of their lives, including their body image and wellbeing. The intense self-criticism is regarded as a major risk factor that can result in the development of depressive symptoms and depression. In keeping with the movement of positive psychology, researchers have also explored the manner in which depression can be managed through changing of self-critical personality dispositions. In this case, the focus is on providing support to the self-critical individuals and helping them to develop high level of self-esteem. (Dunkley et al., 2020) The primary objective is to alleviate the depressive symptoms and offer a buffer to stressors that may cause depression. The outcome of such studies have suggested that the provision of the stress buffers and support to those who are self-critical may result in positive psychological functioning (Ehret et al., 2015). In addition, the approach can be used as a reliable psychotherapy for managing and preventing depression.
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There seem to be a consensus among researchers that people who are depressed tend to engage in self-criticism and self-blame. In addition, they are often linked with low self-acceptance and self-soothing practices (Manfredi et al., 2016). Therefore, researchers suggest that the promotion of self-compassion and provision of support may protect them from the adverse effects of depression ( Rosellini et al., 2019 ). The trend is attributed to the fact that such interventions usually promote self-compassion and help the patients to develop positive emotional attitudes and relationships. Furthermore, it helps people to learn how to remain non-judgmental even when they are facing situations that are characterized by personal weakness and high risk of failure.
Researchers contend that self-compassion and emotionally positive attitudes helps a person to understand problematic situations in life. In addition, those with self-compassion strive to treat themselves and remain positive even when facing difficult situations. These people understand that there is more to life than blaming oneself for events that may be beyond their control (Gilbert et al., 2006; Joeng & Turner, 2015). In addition, they strive to manage their emotions and deal with personal weaknesses when facing problems in life. It implies that self-compassion is associated with mindfulness, self-kindness, and the desire to manage one’s emotions at all times. The self-critical people, on the other hand, are unable to manage their situations. Furthermore, such people struggle to have unconditional positive self-regard especially when they are facing trying times. In the end, they become vulnerable to mental health problems such as depressions. Research shows that self-criticism is linked with the main dimensions of self-compassion. They include self-judgment, self-kindness, and self-love. The concept of self-judgment relates to being relentless critical and judgmental of oneself. The behavior usually results in self-inflicted mental suffering. In addition, it makes a person to struggle to deal with challenging issues in live. Self-kindness, on the other hand, relates to the practice of being empathetic to oneself. Those who are kind to themselves and avoid being judgmental when they face difficult and trying times. Finally, self-love relates to the ability to be compassionate to oneself.
In other instances, researchers have noted that those who are self-critical tend to be perfectionist. The argument is based on the realization that those who strive to be perfect tare self-critical. Moreover, they are always looking forward to achieve high standards in life through the use of multidimensional constructs. A number of studies have shown that the struggle to achieve high personal standards may cause stress and lead to depression. In other cases, however, researchers have shown that there is a health form of perfectionism. In this case, the perfectionists strive to engage in activities that help them to achieve certain goals in life ( Dunkley et al., 2020 ). Moreover, such individuals may develop high level of positive affect, self-esteem, and conscientiousness. Within the context of the current study, however, the interest is on the adverse effects of perfectionism and how it relates to the subject of self-criticism. Accumulating research evidence reveals that perfectionism and self-criticism tend to cause depressive symptoms ( Joeng & Turner, 2015 ). Evidence from clinical studies and systematic reviews show that those who strive to be perfect end up being self-critical. In the end, then develop the symptoms of depression. Furthermore, such individuals may develop other mental complications such as anxiety. Therefore, there is a need to develop interventions that can be used to manage the conditions and help the patients recover from their conditions.
Theoretical Considerations
The current study was done on the basis of Carl Roger’s self-actualization. Self-actualization is the ability to laugh at yourself and just being okay with who you are. People who are self-critical are not very good at seeing the self-actualization. Rogers stated that every human being has the tendency to strive towards being the best. Therefore, he rejected the deterministic model and behaviorism framework that were being used to explain human behavior. Instead, Rogers proposed the idea that every individual has a basic motive to achieve the highest level of human beinggness. According to the theorist, the potential of every person is unique. Moreover, the potential of a persona may be affected by factors such as personality which determine the manner in which people behave. Despite this being the cases, human beings strive to work towards achieving a state in which the ideal self is congruent with the actual behavior of a person. Once such a state is achieved, the individual will feel that he or she is fully functioning. Moreover, the person will have positive view about life and remain motivated to live it to the fullest.
Research question, Variables, and Hypothesis
Like in any other study, it is necessary to set out the research question, identify the variables and develop the hypotheses that is to be tested. The main research question in this project was “what is the relationship between self-criticism and depressive symptoms?” From the above statement, it is evident that the independent variable in the study was self-criticism while the dependent variable was depressive symptoms. It was also hypothesized that people with self – critical tendencies are more likely to get depression than those who are not self-critical. Throughout the research, the focus will be on showing that individuals with self-critical tendencies will be more likely to have depression. Moreover, attempts will be made to determine the correlation between self-criticism and depression.
Methods
The methodology is considered to be one of the most important parts of any study. It sets out the details about the way the research will be undertaken. In addition, the methods section of a study identifies the data to be collected, participants, recruitment, measures, and materials. Furthermore, it contains information regarding the research procedure, research design, and data analysis. The details of the methodology that is to be used in the present case are set out in the sections below.
Participants and Recruitment
The participants in this study will consist of adults aged between 20 years and 40 years. The participants will be selected through random sampling method to take part in the research. Random sampling entails giving people equal opportunity to be part of a project. In this case, every individual is given the chance to be selected to participate in the study. The random sampling method will be used in the present case for three major reasons. First, it gives the research a chance to select the participants in an objective manner. Second, the random sampling method is associated with low risk of subjective errors compared to other methods that researchers may use to select the participants. The third factor is that the method is convenient and consumer less time. The trend is attributed to the fact that the researcher does not have to make several iterations to determine which specific people should take part in the study. Moreover, the approach is attributed to low level of subjective bias since the researcher plays a minimal role in making decisions on which specific individuals should participate in the project.
Materials and Measures
There are two primary variables that are to be measured in the present study. The first one is the self-critical tendencies of an individual. In this case, the researcher will use a wide range of questions that are related to the subject of self-criticism. The intention will be to gather information that can be used to determine whether one is a self-critic or not. The second variable is depression. Depression will be measured through the DHQ-9 Depression Scale. This particular scale has nine items that are linked to the issue of depression. The researcher will ask the participants to sign the scale so that they can offer information that can be used in detecting depression among the participants.
Procedures
This study will be done in a systematic manner. Throughout the process, the focus will be on obtaining accurate data that can be used to answer the formulated research question. The first stage will be to develop a research plan for the whole study. The plan will be used as a guide by the research and all those who will be involved in the study. Once the plan is developed, the researcher will select the participants through random sampling method. Next, the participants will be contacted, informed about their rights and guided on how to respond to the questions. Finally, the data will be collected and used as the basis for answering the formulated research question.
Research Design and Planned Data Analyses
The current study will use the correlational design. This design was selected because the study revolves around determining the relationship between the two variables. Once the data has been collected has been collected, it will be analyzed through the use of statistical method. The process entails determining the descriptive statistics and the correlational statistics. The final results will be tabulated and included in the final report.
References
Dunkley, D. M., Starrs, C. J., Gouveia, L., & Moroz, M. (2020). Self-critical perfectionism and lower daily perceived control predict depressive and anxious symptoms over four years. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 67 (6), 736– 746. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000425
Ehret, A. M., Joormann, J., & Berking, M. (2015). Examining risk and resilience factors for depression: The role of self-criticism and self-compassion. Cognition and Emotion, 29 (8), 1496-1504. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/10.1080/02699931.2014.992394
Gilbert, P., Baldwin, M. W., Irons, C., Baccus, J. R., & Palmer, M. (2006). Self-criticism and self-warmth: An imagery study exploring their relation to depression. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 20 (2), 183-200. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/10.1891/jcop.20.2.183
Joeng, J. R., & Turner, S. L. (2015). Mediators between self-criticism and depression: Fear of compassion, self-compassion, and importance to others. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62 (3), 453–463. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000071
Manfredi, C., Caselli, G., Pescini, F., Rossi, M., Rebecchi, D., Ruggiero, G. M., & Sassaroli, S. (2016). Parental criticism, self-criticism and their relation to depressive mood: An exploratory study among a non-clinical population. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome, 19 (1), 41-48. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/10.4081/ripppo.2016.178
Rosellini, Anthony J., & Brown, Timothy A. (2019). The Multidimensional Emotional Disorder Inventory (MEDI): Assessing transdiagnostic dimensions to validate a profile approach to emotional disorder classification . Psychological Assessment, 31 (1), 59-72. doi: 10.1037/pas0000649
