Examining state self-criticism and self-efficacy as factors underlying hopelessness and suicidal ideation

Does hopelessness predict treatment outcomes in adults with binge-spectrum eating disorders?

Using data from 165 adult participants who enrolled in four studies of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for binge-spectrum eating disorders (EDs), this secondary analysis examined 1) whether pretreatment hopelessness predicted posttreatment eating pathology, loss-of-control (LOC) eating frequency, and purging frequency; 2) whether treatment had an indirect effect on those outcomes through change in hopelessness; and 3) whether treatment had an indirect effect on hopelessness through those ED measures. The Eating Disorder Examination was used to assess overall eating pathology, LOC frequency, and purging frequency. Hopelessness was measured with one item from the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Regression models showed that pretreatment hopelessness predicted posttreatment LOC eating frequency but not overall eating pathology or purging frequency. Single-group tests of indirect effects showed no effect of reduction in hopelessness on reduction in ED symptoms, but there was an effect of reduction in ED symptoms on reduction in hopelessness.

"I'm so dumb and worthless right now": factors associated with heightened momentary self-criticism in daily life

Self-criticism is a trait associated with increased psychopathology, but self-criticism is also a personality state reflecting an action that people do in moments of time. In the current study, we explored factors associated with heightened self-criticism in daily life. Participants (N = 197) received five random prompts per day for one week on their mobile phones, where they reported their current affect (negative and positive affect), willpower self-efficacy, distress intolerance, degree of support and criticism from others, current context (location, activity, hunger, tiredness) and momentary self-criticism. We first demonstrated that self-criticism varies over time and across contexts, and is associated with heightened trait self-criticism. Then, using multilevel modelling, we explored the contextual factors associated with greater self-criticism. We found that self-criticism was higher when people were at home, and more tired. We also found higher self-criticism to be associated with greater negative and lower positive affect, greater distress intolerance, lower willpower and greater perceived criticism from others. In addition, self-criticism predicted subsequent distress intolerance, willpower and positive affect in lagged analyses. This study provides evidence that both environmental and psychological factors are associated with the dynamics of self-critical thoughts.