The role of change in self-criticism across young adulthood in explaining developmental outcomes and psychological wellbeing

Yossi Michaeli, Maor Kalfon Hakhmigari, Daniel J. Dickson, Miri Scharf, Shmuel Shulman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Past research has confirmed the role of self-criticism in numerous forms of psychopathology and negative interpersonal outcomes. However, the majority of these studies were cross-sectional and have not addressed the role of possible changes in self-criticism across time for future outcomes. The current study investigated the degree to which changes in self-criticism during young adulthood precede better psychological outcomes beyond the contribution of their baseline levels. Method: A total of 168 Israeli emerging adults were followed for 12 years. Participants completed assessments of self-criticism at age 23, 24, 26.5, and 29, and of developmental tasks and psychological adaptation at age 35. Analyses assessed the extent to which the intercept and linear slope of self-criticism were associated with assessments of coping with age-related tasks and psychological well-being at age 35. Results: Findings indicated that decreases in self-criticism between the ages of 23 and 29 were associated with better coping with age-related task outcomes and psychological health at age 35. Conclusions: These findings are among the first to show that decreases in self-criticism serve as important precursors of coping with age-related tasks and psychological outcomes and point to the positive contributions of changes in personality attributes for future development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)785-798
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Personality
Volume87
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords

  • longitudinal study
  • personality change
  • personality maturity
  • self-criticism
  • young adults

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology

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