The role of change in self‐criticism across young adulthood in explaining developmental outcomes and psychological wellbeing

Abstract

Objective Past research has confirmed the role of self‐criticism in numerous forms of psychopathology and negative interpersonal outcomes. However, the majority of these studies were cross‐sectional and have not addressed the role of possible changes in self‐criticism across time for future outcomes. The current study investigated the degree to which changes in self‐criticism during young adulthood precede better psychological outcomes beyond the contribution of their baseline levels. Method A total of 168 Israeli emerging adults were followed for 12 years. Participants completed assessments of self‐criticism at age 23, 24, 26.5, and 29, and of developmental tasks and psychological adaptation at age 35. Analyses assessed the extent to which the intercept and linear slope of self‐criticism were associated with assessments of coping with age‐related tasks and psychological well‐being at age 35. Results Findings indicated that decreases in self‐criticism between the ages of 23 and 29 were associated with better coping with age‐related task outcomes and psychological health at age 35. Conclusions These findings are among the first to show that decreases in self‐criticism serve as important precursors of coping with age‐related tasks and psychological outcomes and point to the positive contributions of changes in personality attributes for future development.

The Role of Personality Risk and Protective Factors in Living with Covid-19: A Longitudinal Study

“…Relatedly, there is also some earlier evidence that a decrease in self-criticism over time associates with better future adaptation. Decrease in self-criticism explained a decrease in level of depression (Kopala-Sibley et al, 2016) and associated with greater future achievement of developmental tasks such as career development, and better psychological well-being (Michaeli et al, 2019). The current study is unique in that it examined the role of self-criticism and its change over time in a particular life context-the Covid-19 pandemic.…”

“…The current study is unique in that it examined the role of self-criticism and its change over time in a particular life context-the Covid-19 pandemic. Considered together, it can be suggested that personality attributes affect not only concurrent coping with daily aggravations, or negative life events (e.g., Besser & Priel, 2010;Blatt, 2004;Sherry et al, 2014) or coping with developmental tasks (Michaeli et al, 2019), they play a role in the mode in which a person will address an unexpected challenge such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Contrary to our expectation, efficacy signifying dispositional competence and confidence in oneself was not associated with any Covid-19-related psychological outcomes.…”

“…Thus, it is reasonable to expect decreases as well in self-criticism and self-doubts during young adulthood. Earlier research indeed showed decreases in self-criticism across emerging adulthood, which explained better future coping with developmental tasks and psychological well-being (Michaeli et al, 2019(Michaeli et al, , 2020. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that decrease in self-criticism, which enhances individual resilience would, in addition to efficacy, facilitate facing and coping with the Covid-19-related stressors and uncertainty.…”

A study on the psychological assessment of young children based on multivariate statistical analysis

“…In the fields of clinical medicine, early childhood education, and psychology there is a need for some psychological assessment of young children, with the aim of correctly understanding the current psychological-behavioral state [1][2][3]. On the one hand, it is necessary to determine the child's psychological development, and on the other hand, it is necessary to identify the presence of behavioral problems and psychological developmental disorders so that early education, early intervention, and early treatment can be targeted [4][5]. There are many types of psychological assessments for young children, which are divided into cognitive, such as perceptual, language tests, emotional-behavioral assessments, aptitude tests, and personality tests according to the psychological domains involved [6][7][8].…”