Keywords
Self-criticism
Meaning in life
Therapeutic communities
Emerging adults Negligencia emocional en la infancia
Autocrítica
Significado en la vida
Comunidades terapéuticas
Adultos emergentes.
How to Cite
Abstract
Background: Childhood emotional neglect (CEN) may contribute to the emergence of self-critical tendencies, which may be particularly pronounced in individuals living in therapeutic communities and which can have a substantial impact on their overall sense of meaning in life (MiL). Method: This study analyzed the influence of self-criticism (self-criticizing [S-C], self-attacking [S-A], and self-reassuring [S-R]) on the link between CEN and MiL (presence of meaning [PoM] and search for meaning [SfM]) in individuals living in therapeutic communities. The study also aimed to investigate whether this mediating model differed between genders. A total of 1086 participants (18-25 years, 50% women) completed self-report questionnaires. Results: The findings indicated intricate links between the variables. Notably, S-A emerged as a mediator between CEN and both PoM and SfM, whereas S-C solely mediated the path between CEN and SfM, and S-R only mediated the connection between CEN and PoM. Furthermore, the study confirmed the model’s invariance between genders. Conclusions: The results underscore the necessity for targeted interventions tailored to this unique population in order to alleviate CEN's adverse effects, address the multifaceted nature of self-criticism, and foster a resilient sense of MiL.
References
Akgöz Aktaş, G., Alpay, E. H., & Aydın, A. (2023). Understanding the link between childhood emotional abuse and eating behaviors: The mediating role of self-criticism. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 32(11), 1604-1621. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2022.2164533
Alhija, F. A. N. (2010). Factor analysis: An overview and some contemporary advances. International Encyclopedia of Education, 3, 162-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-044894-7.01328-2
Anwar, S., Khan, S., & Zaheer, S. (2019). The impact of psychological distress and self-criticism on aggression with moderating role of loneliness in university students. Foundation University Journal of Psychology, 3(2), 163–180. https://doi.org/10.33897/fujp.v3i2.23
Aust, S., Härtwig, E. A., Heuser, I., & Bajbouj, M. (2013). The role of early emotional neglect in alexithymia. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 5(3), 225–232. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027314
Barberis, N., Calaresi, D., & Gugliandolo, M. C. (2019). Relationships among trait EI, need fulfilment, and performance strategies. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 4(3), Article 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk4030050
Bernstein, D. P., & Fink, L. (1998). Manual for the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. The Psychological Corporation.
Boersma, K., Håkanson, A., Salomonsson, E., & Johansson, I. (2015). Compassion focused therapy to counteract shame, self-criticism and isolation. A replicated single case experimental study for individuals with social anxiety. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 45, 89- 98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-014-9286-8
Chang, S., Hou, Q., Wang, C., Wang, M., Wang, L., & Zhang, W. (2021). Childhood maltreatment and violent delinquency in Chinese juvenile offenders: Callous-unemotional traits as a mediator. Child Abuse & Neglect, 117, Article 105085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105085
Chu, X., Zhao, Y., Gao, L., & Wang, Y. (2023). Moral identity and bystander behavior in cyberbullying: The roles of moral outrage and online interpersonal trust. Victims & Offenders, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2023.2171170
Crăciun, B. (2013). Coping strategies, self-criticism and gender factor in relation to quality of life. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 78, 466-470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.04.332
Efrati, Y., & Gola, M. (2019). The effect of early life trauma on compulsive sexual behavior among members of a 12-step group. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 16(6), 803-811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.03.272
Gilbert, P., Clarke, M., Hempel, S., Miles, J. N., & Irons, C. (2004). Criticizing and reassuring oneself: An exploration of forms, styles and reasons in female students. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 43(1), 31-50. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466504772812959
Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Irons, C., Bhundia, R., Christie, R., Broomhead, C., & Rockliff, H. (2010). Self‐harm in a mixed clinical population: The roles of self‐criticism, shame, and social rank. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 49(4), 563-576. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466509X479771
Hamama, L., & Hamama-Raz, Y. (2021). Meaning in life, self- control, positive and negative affect: Exploring gender differences among adolescents. Youth & Society, 53(5), 699-722. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X19883736
Hazlett-Stevens, H. (2018). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in a mental health outpatient setting: Benefits beyond symptom reduction. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 20(3), 275-292. https://doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2017.1413963
Holman, A. C., & Jignea, A. (2022). Cognitive reappraisal both buffers and mediates the negative effect of childhood emotional neglect on adult resilience: Findings from a Romanian sample. Current Psychology, 42, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03362-x
Huang, X. X., Li, Y. T., Chen, J. H., Ma, J. J., Cong, E. Z., & Xu, Y. F. (2023). The influence of family structure on depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescents: The mediating role of emotional neglect. Zhongguo Dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 25(1), 80-85. https://doi.org/10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2208058
Iancu, I., Bodner, E., & Ben-Zion, I. Z. (2015). Self esteem, dependency, self-efficacy and self-criticism in social anxiety disorder. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 58, 165-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.11.018
Kotera, Y., Dosedlova, J., Andrzejewski, D., Kaluzeviciute, G., & Sakai, M. (2021). From stress to psychopathology: Relationship with self-reassurance and self-criticism in Czech University students. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20, 2321–2332. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00516-z
Krvavac, S., & Jansson, B. (2021). The role of emotion dysregulation and alexithymia in the link between types of child abuse and neglect and psychopathology: A moderated mediation model. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 5(3), Article 100213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2021.100213
Kurtuluş, C., & Elemo, A. S. (2024). Childhood emotional neglect and risks of substance misuse: Meaning and purpose of life as a mediator. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 22, 3990-4003. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-023-01096-w
Lew, B., Chistopolskaya, K., Osman, A., Huen, J. M. Y., Abu Talib, M., & Leung, A. N. M. (2020). Meaning in life as a protective factor against suicidal tendencies in Chinese University students. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), Article 73. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02485-4
Li, J., Gu, H., & Xia, T. (2024). Childhood maltreatment and NSSI in prisoners: Mediation through self-identity and moderation by sensation- seeking. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, Article 1303033. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1303033
Li, P. J., Wong, Y. J., & Chao, R. C. L. (2019). Happiness and meaning in life: Unique, differential, and indirect associations with mental health. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 32(3-4), 396-414. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2019.1604493
Löw, C. A., Schauenburg, H., & Dinger, U. (2020). Self-criticism and psychotherapy outcome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 75, Article 101808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101808
Masten, A. S., & Cicchetti, D. (2010). Developmental cascades. Development and Psychopathology, 22(3), 491-495. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579410000222
Mohseni, M., Iranpour, A., Naghibzadeh-Tahami, A., Kazazi, L., & Borhaninejad, V. (2019). The relationship between meaning in life and resilience in older adults: A cross-sectional study. Health Psychology Report, 7(2), 133-138. https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2019.85659
Müller, L. E., Bertsch, K., Bülau, K., Herpertz, S. C., & Buchheim, A. (2019). Emotional neglect in childhood shapes social dysfunctioning in adults by influencing the oxytocin and the attachment system: Results from a population-based study. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 136, 73-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.05.011
Negri, L., Bassi, M., & Delle Fave, A. (2020). Italian validation of the meaning in life questionnaire: Factor structure, reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity. Psychological Reports, 123(2), 578–600. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294118821302
Petrocchi, N., & Couyoumdjian, A. (2016). The impact of gratitude on depression and anxiety: The mediating role of criticizing, attacking, and reassuring the self. Self and Identity, 15(2), 191-205. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2015.1095794
Porter, A. C., Zelkowitz, R. L., & Cole, D. A. (2018). The unique associations of self-criticism and shame-proneness to symptoms of disordered eating and depression. Eating Behaviors, 29, 64-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2018.02.008
Reddy, N. Y. (2023). The self-blame scale: Development, psychometric properties and its relationship with self-criticism and self-reassurance. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 49(1), 73-80.
Sacchi, C., Vieno, A., & Simonelli, A. (2018). Italian validation of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire—Short Form on a college group. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 10(5), 563–571. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000333
Saladino, V., Fusco, A., Castellani, L., Calaresi, D., & Verrastro, V. (2024). Aggressive behavior among Italian justice-involved juveniles: The impact of attachment, discipline, and moral disengagement. Psychology, Crime & Law, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2024.2303496
Saladino, V., Verrastro, V., Calaresi, D., & Barberis, N. (2023). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for prolonged grief symptoms in children and adolescents: A systematic review. International Journal of Stress Management, 31(1), 66-85. https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000301
Salokangas, R. K. R., Schultze-Lutter, F., Schmidt, S. J., Pesonen, H., Luutonen, S., Patterson, P., Graf von Reventlow, H., Heinimaa, M., From, T., & Hietala, J. (2020). Childhood physical abuse and emotional neglect are specifically associated with adult mental disorders. Journal of Mental Health, 29(4), 376-384. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2018.1521940
Schoemann, A. M., Boulton, A. J., & Short, S. D. (2017). Determining power and sample size for simple and complex mediation models. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 8(4), 379-386. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550617715068
Shahar, B., Doron, G., & Szepsenwol, O. (2015). Childhood maltreatment, shame‐proneness and self‐criticism in social anxiety disorder: A sequential mediational model. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 22(6), 570-579. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1918
Shavandi, H., & Veshki, S. K. (2021). Effectiveness of compassion- focused therapy on self-criticism of the women applying for divorce. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 10, Article 15. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_495_20
Steger, M. F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., & Kaler, M. (2006). The meaning in life questionnaire: Assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of counseling psychology, 53(1), 80-93. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.1.80
Tanzer, M., Salaminios, G., Morosan, L., Campbell, C., & Debbané, M. (2021). Self-blame mediates the link between childhood neglect experiences and internalizing symptoms in low-risk adolescents. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 14, 73-83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-020-00307-z
Verrastro, V., Saladino, V., Calaresi, D., & Cuzzocrea, F. (2024). The mediating role of trait mindfulness and dissociative experiences in the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and problematic internet use in Italian adolescents. International Journal of Psychology, 59(3), 450-459. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.13116
Vos, J. (2016). Working with meaning in life in mental health care: A systematic literature review of the practices and effectiveness of meaning-centred therapies. In P. Russo-Netzer, S. Schulenberg, & A. Batthyany (Eds.), Clinical perspectives on meaning (pp. 53–70). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41397-6_4
Wanamaker, K. A., Brown, S. L., & Czerwinsky, A. M. (2022). Abuse, neglect and witnessing violence during childhood within justice- involved samples: A meta-analysis of the prevalence and nature of gender differences and similarities. Journal of Criminal Justice, 82, Article 101990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2022.101990
Wang, P., Zhang, N., Ma, S., Kang, L., Wang, W., Zong, X., Bai, H., Li, R., & Liu, Z. (2022). Dysfunctional attitudes mediate the relationship between childhood emotional neglect and anhedonia in young adult major depression patients. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, Article 791230. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.791230
Wood, C. J., Barton, J. L., & Wicks, C. L. (2022a). The impact of therapeutic community gardening on the wellbeing, loneliness, and life satisfaction of individuals with mental illness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), Article 13166. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013166
Wood, C. J., Polley, M., Barton, J. L., & Wicks, C. L. (2022b). Therapeutic community gardening as a green social prescription for mental ill- health: Impact, barriers, and facilitators from the perspective of multiple stakeholders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), Article 13612. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013612
Zhang, D., Xu, Z., Yang, Z., Zhou, W., Cheung, P. M., Kam-pui Lee, E., Zhong, B., Xu, D., Li, X., Xie, Y., Yang, G., Xiao, S., & Wong, S. Y. (2022). Association of meaning in life with preventive healthcare use among Chinese adults: Are there age and gender differences?. BMC Public Health, 22(1), Article 2308. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14699-0
Zhang, H., Sang, Z., Chen, C., Zhu, J., & Deng, W. (2018). Need for meaning, meaning confusion, meaning anxiety, and meaning avoidance: Additional dimensions of meaning in life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19, 191-212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-016-9815-0
Zhao, H., Li, X., Zhou, J., Nie, Q., & Zhou, J. (2020). The relationship between bullying victimization and online game addiction among Chinese early adolescents: The potential role of meaning in life and gender differences. Children and Youth Services Review, 116, Article 105261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105261
Zuroff, D. C., Sadikaj, G., Kelly, A. C., & Leybman, M. J. (2016). Conceptualizing and measuring self-criticism as both a personality trait and a personality state. Journal of Personality Assessment, 98(1), 14-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2015.1044604