Self-Criticism, Self-Esteem, and Depression in Adolescence (1 CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Counselors

Course By: Ken Springer, PhD

Content By:  Gittins, C. B., & Hunt, C. (2020). Self-criticism and self-esteem in early adolescence: Do they predict depression? PLoS One, 15(12).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244182

Course Description: Negative self-beliefs are associated with depression in adolescence, but researchers disagree about whether the association reflects a "vulnerability" model (negative self-beliefs lead to depression) or a "scar" model  (depression leads to negative self-beliefs). The present study examined connections between depression and two types of self-beliefs (self-criticism and self-esteem). Adolescents completed surveys in 7th grade and then again approximately 1 and 2 years later. The researchers found no links between self-criticism and depression. However, self-esteem and depression exhibited a reciprocal relationship: Whereas higher levels of depression were associated with lower self-esteem in the first year of the study, lower self-esteem predicted higher levels of depression in the second year of the study. The results of the study have implications for the development of interventions designed to prevent depression among adolescents.

Learning Objectives:

1. Contrast "vulnerability" and "scar" models of the relationship between negative self-beliefs and depression
2. Describe the main findings of the study concerning relationships among self-criticism, self-esteem, and depression in adolescents
3. Integrate the strengths and limitations of the study, and summarize the clinical implications for preventing depression among adolescents

Course Outline:

• Read and understand Self-criticism and self-esteem in early adolescence: Do they predict depression?
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Analyze similarities and differences between "vulnerability" and "scar" models in how they portray the relationship between negative self-beliefs and depression
• Integrate the study's key findings, strengths, limitations, and clinical implications
• Work through the post-test questions, using the article as the sole basis for your answers
• Revisit the article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the relationship between self-criticism, self-esteem, and depression among adolescents

Approvals: