RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study explored the relationship of forms and functions of self-criticism, shame, and social rank variables to self-harm, depression, and anxiety. DESIGN: The study used a questionnaire design. METHOD: In-patients and day-patients (N=73) completed a series of questionnaires measuring self-harm, mood, self-criticism, shame, and social comparison. RESULTS: Self-harm was significantly associated with forms and functions of self-criticism, shame, and feelings of inferiority (low social rank). The self-persecuting function of self-criticism was especially linked to self-harm, depression, and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to a growing literature on the importance of recognizing the pathogenic effects of negative self-critical thoughts and feelings about the self and the value of distinguishing different types of self-criticism.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos de Ansiedad/diagnóstico , Trastornos de Ansiedad/psicología , Trastorno Depresivo/diagnóstico , Trastorno Depresivo/psicología , Dominación-Subordinación , Autoimagen , Conducta Autodestructiva/psicología , Vergüenza , Adulto , Anciano , Alcoholismo/diagnóstico , Alcoholismo/epidemiología , Alcoholismo/psicología , Trastornos de Ansiedad/epidemiología , Trastorno Bipolar/diagnóstico , Trastorno Bipolar/epidemiología , Trastorno Bipolar/psicología , Comorbilidad , Estudios Transversales , Trastorno Depresivo/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Trastornos de la Personalidad/diagnóstico , Trastornos de la Personalidad/epidemiología , Trastornos de la Personalidad/psicología , Inventario de Personalidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Trastornos Fóbicos/diagnóstico , Trastornos Fóbicos/epidemiología , Trastornos Fóbicos/psicología , Psicometría , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/diagnóstico , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/epidemiología , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/psicología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Social rank theory suggests that mood variation is linked to the security a person feels in his/her social domain and the extent to which they are sensitive to involuntary subordination (e.g. feeling defeated and feeling inferior). Previous studies looking at rank-related and competitive behaviour have often focused on striving for dominance, whereas social rank theory has focused on striving to avoid inferiority. This study set out to develop a measure of 'Striving to Avoid Inferiority' (SAIS) and assess its relationship to other rank and mood-related variables. We hypothesized two factors: one we called insecure striving, relating to fear of rejection/criticism for 'not keeping up', and the second we called secure non-striving, relating to feeling socially acceptable and valued regardless of whether one succeeds or not. This scale was given to 207 undergraduates. The SAIS had good psychometric properties, with the two factors of insecure striving and secure non-striving strongly supported by exploratory factor analysis. Both factors were significantly (though contrastingly) related to various fears of rejection, need for validation, hypercompetitive attitudes, feeling inferior to others, submissive behaviour and indicators of stress, anxiety and depression. Striving to avoid inferiority was a significant predictor of psychopathologies, especially where individuals perceived themselves to have low social rank.