The phenomenology of self‐critical thinking in people with depression, eating disorders, and in healthy individuals. (31st July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thew, Graham R.; Gregory, James D.; Roberts, Kate; Rimes, Katharine A.
• Is Part Of: Psychology and psychotherapy. Volume 90:Part 4(2017:Dec.)
• Page Start: 751
• Page End: 769
• Publication Date: 2017-07-31
• Subjects: anorexia nervosa -- bulimia nervosa -- depression -- perfectionism -- self‐criticism; Clinical psychology -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1111/papt.12137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-0835

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To explore the phenomenology of self‐criticism, and the relationship with constructs such as rumination and perfectionism. Design: The study followed a three‐group (Depression, n = 26; Eating Disorder, n = 26; Non‐clinical, n = 26) mixed methods design. Method: Participants completed a set of questionnaires and were interviewed about the occurrence, impact, and content of self‐critical thinking, along with their beliefs about self‐criticism. Results: Both clinical groups reported more frequent, persistent, and less controllable self‐criticism compared to controls, present on average 50–60% of the time. They reported a negative impact on mood, and a moderately severe impact on daily activities. They indicated greater desire to change self‐criticism whilst judging it more difficult to reduce. Habitual self‐criticism was highly correlated with lower self‐esteem, lower self‐compassion, greater rumination, and greater negative perfectionism. Compared to those with depression, the eating disorder group reported harsher self‐criticism, felt it was more part of their personality, and was more beneficial. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of exploring people's beliefs about their self‐criticism, and imply that treatment for self‐criticism may be more challenging with people with eating disorders than people with depression. Practitioner points: This study highlights that self‐criticism is common in depression and eating disorders and that some people find this a significant problem in its own right. Careful assessment of self‐criticism is recommended when working with these clinical presentations, which should include the perceived positive consequences and desire to change.