Self-Criticism, Attribution Style, Hope, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents

Background. Mental health problems are most commonly underreported or kept undiagnosed inthe developing countries. Manifestation of such issues during adolescence could result in long-termadverse consequences. Thus, present study attempted to explore predictive role of self-criticism,attribution style, and hope in depressive symptoms in adolescents.Method. A sample of 290 students (145 male & 145 female; aged 11-23 years) was recruited fromdifferent schools and colleges by using convenient sampling technique. The Forms ofSelf-Criticizing/ Self-reassuring Scale (FSCRS) (Gilbert et al., 2004), The Measure ofAttributional Style (Kwon & Whisman, 1992), Psychological Capital Questionnaire (Luthans et al.,2007), and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) were used to measureself-criticism, attribution style, hope, and depressive symptoms.Findings. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between self-criticism anddepression while significant negative association was found between depression and hope.Furthermore, self-criticism and hope significantly predicted depressive symptoms in adolescents.Comparison of family systems showed significant differences on hated-self, attribution style, hope,and depressive symptoms. Results revealed that individuals belonging to joint family systemexperience more hated-self, depressive symptoms, and attribute to internal causes whileindividuals belonging to nuclear family system experience more hope and attribute to externalcauses.Conclusion. The study findings highlight the role of self-criticism, attribution style, hope, anddepressive symptoms in adolescents. Thus, present study may also help in evaluating andeliminating risks associated with depressive symptoms. Teachers/parents and caregivers workingwith adolescents may also benefit from the findings of the research. Implications of the findings arediscussed.