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Research has robustly shown that early negative parenting experiences are associated with psychopathology and self-criticism in adulthood. This study investigates recall of personal feelings of perceived threat and subordination in childhood and its relation to psychopathology. In addition, we explore the mediator role of self-criticism in this association. A sample of 193 subjects from the general population completed self-report questionnaires measuring the study variables. The mediator analyses suggested that the impact of submissiveness experiences in childhood on depression and anxiety is mediated by self-criticism. Our findings highlight the route through which the recall of personal feelings of perceived involuntary subordination to parents contributes to depression and anxiety in adulthood. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message Although the relation between early experiences of abuse and later psychological problems is now well established, there has been less study on subtler forms of threat and subordinate behaviour in childhood. Given ours and previous findings, therapists should be aware of, and prone to explore, these early experiences. Most studies exploring early negative experiences mainly refer to attachment theory-related constructs (e.g., attachment style). We also highlight the importance of noting rank structure and rank style in the family. Self-criticism seems to be a key process in the relation between early aversive experiences of subordination and psychopathology. Given the idea that self-reassuring operates through a different affect system, helping people develop inner warmth and compassion for the self may be important to counteract feelings of self-hatred and self-attack.

We talk about self-criticism when we assume, due to our own suffering, a tough stance, intolerant and negative self-evaluation. The literature shows the self-criticism as an important predictor of pain, associated with psychopathology. In case of failure, people can adopt the ruminative thinking style that, being remarkably repetitive and negative, is associated with psychopathological symptoms. This research aims to contribute to the knowledge of the relationship between self-criticism, rumination and negative affect, in a nonclinical sample of 193 subjects. The results of this study indicate that more self-critical and ruminative individuals experience more negative affect. We also noted that self-critical individuals tend to make more use of ruminative thought. Conversely, self-reassurance, in moments of failure, is positively associated with positive affect. The results suggest the importance of a therapeutic intervention focused on reducing self-criticism and rumination in the clinical setting, encouraging self-reassurance, especially useful in patients with self-criticism and mood disorders., Nous parlons de l’auto-critique lorsque nous adoptons une position ferme, intolérants et négatifs d’auto-évaluation, avant sa propre souffrance. La littérature montre que l’auto-critique comme un prédicteur important de la douleur associée à la psychopathologie. Face à des situations d’échec, les gens peuvent adopter le style de pensée méditatif que, étant remarquablement répétitive et négative, est associée à des symptômes psychopathologiques. Cette recherche vise à contribuer à la connaissance de la relation entre l’auto-critique, la rumination et et l’affect négatif dans un échantillon non clinique de 193 sujets. Les résultats de cette étude indiquent que les individus une plus grande expérience d’auto-critique et ruminait plus affect négatif. Nous avons aussi noté que plus d’individus auto-critique ont tendance à faire davantage usage de la pensée méditatif. En revanche, l’auto-assurance dans les moments de défaillance, est associé positivement avec l’expérience de l’affect positif. Les résultats suggèrent l’importance d’une intervention thérapeutique axée sur la réduction auto-critique et de la rumination en milieu clinique, en encourageant l’auto-assurance particulièrement utile chez les patients présentant des troubles auto-critique et de l’humeur., Falamos em auto-criticismo quando assumimos, face ao próprio sofrimento, uma postura dura, intolerante e de auto-avaliação negativa. A literatura aponta o autocriticismo como um importante preditor de sofrimento, associado à psicopatologia. Perante situações de fracasso, as pessoas podem adoptar o estilo de pensamento ruminativo que, por ser marcadamente repetitivo e negativo, se associa à sintomatologia psicopatológica. Esta investigação pretende contribuir para o conhecimento da relação entre o auto-criticismo, ruminação e a experienciação de afecto negativo, numa amostra não clínica de 193 sujeitos. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que os indivíduos mais auto-críticos e ruminadores experienciam mais afecto negativo. Verificámos igualmente que indivíduos mais auto-críticos tendem a recorrer mais ao pensamento ruminativo. Inversamente, a auto-tranquilização em momentos de fracasso, associa-se positivamente com a vivência de afecto positivo. Os resultados sugerem a importância de uma intervenção terapêutica focada na redução da auto-crítica e ruminação, em contexto clínico, promovendo a auto-tranquilização especialmente útil em doentes auto-críticos e com perturbações de humor.