Breaking the vicious cycles of self-criticism
A qualitative study on the best practices of overcoming one’s inner critic
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15697028 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bronislava Strnádelová (0000-0003-2463-4457, Comenius University Bratislava, corresponding author), Katarína Greškovičová (0000-0002-2070-5660, Comenius University Bratislava), Júlia Halamová (0000-0002-2655-2327, Comenius University Bratislava), Martina Baránková (0000-0002-4973-3243, Comenius University Bratislava) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 266-266 |
| Publication date | 2025-03-18 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | BMC Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2050-7283 • E-ISSN: 2050-7283 |
| Publisher | BioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1186/s40359-024-02250-2 |
| PMID | 40102992 |
| OpenAlex | W4408552490 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 30 |
Despite continuous efforts to understand self-critical inner dialogues, little is known about the best practices people use to overcome their self-critics. In this study, we aimed to analyse the self-critical cycles of participants who scored high on coping to understand the most adaptive strategies and responses to the self-critic. The consensual qualitative analysis was performed by a team of three researchers and one auditor. The high scorers were identified from a convenience sample of 1,683 participants. Twenty participants, 14 women and 6 men, were randomly chosen from the sample of individuals who scored high in self-reporting inventory of coping. In-depth repeat interviews were conducted with 15 participants for the main analysis, and 5 were added to check the data saturation. The results revealed three core themes - I am okay but I need improving; I am okay but improving would help; and I am not okay and it is hard to be different. Furthermore, six main types of self-critic emerged from the data: Teamster, Non-feeler, Worrier, Not good enough for self, Not good enough for others, and Hated self. Self-critic sequences included the trigger or specific situation evoking that self-critic; accompanying emotions and/ or self-awareness; a particular kind of self-criticism and self-compassionate and/or self-protective responses to the self-critic that form part of coping. The results supported the Emotion Focused Theory of change, with self-compassionate and self-protective responses being aimed at various types of self-critic. Self-critic specific nuances were also identified. The study provided the possibilities of working with different types of inner critics and could alleviate the suffering caused by them
Coping (psychology · Criticism · Psychology of self · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Self · Self-criticism · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Psychology · Social Psychology
Teaching self-care to caregivers
Criticizing and reassuring oneself
Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self‐criticism
The benefits of self-compassion and optimism exercises for individuals vulnerable to depression
Fears of compassion
The Relationship Among the Components of Self-compassion
Self‐Compassion Versus Global Self‐Esteem
Positive psychology
A Guide to Conducting Consensual Qualitative Research
Self-Compassion
| Citations per year | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |