Emotion-Focused Treatment for Self-Criticism in a Non-Clinal Population: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

Abstract

Self-criticism is a transdiagnostic phenomenon associated with different psychopathological manifestations in clinical and non-clinical samples. This fact has led to an increase in research on its measurement and treatment. This study seeks to examine the effects of emotion-focused therapy on self-criticism in a non-clinical population through pre, post and follow-up questionnaires. The study was designed as a randomized control trial (RCT) comparing emotion-focused therapy for self-criticism (n = 24) vs. a wait-list control group (n = 28). The efficacy was evaluated using Inadequate Self and Hated Self scales of Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring scale [FSCRS]), as well as measures of depression, general distress, and interpersonal problems. The results showed significant improvements on the inadequate self, depression, general distress, self-compassion, and self-reassuring measures at the end of the treatment for emotion-focused therapy condition in comparison with the control, with most of the changes also being maintained in the follow-up. The results show the promise of emotion-focused therapy as a way of treating self-criticism.