Consensual Qualitative Analysis of Self-Criticizing Using the Two-Chair Technique

Abstract

Level of self-criticism has a significant impact on people’s psychopathology because severe self-criticism activates the sympathetic nervous system, and that further stimulates the physiological and psychological stress response which lead to impairment of mental health and wellbeing (Singer & Klimecki, 2014). Therefore, self-criticism is widely studied, but authors use mainly quantitative approaches which allow generalisation of knowledge but do not allow in-depth insights into the phenomenon. Hence our research aim was to identify the kinds of statements individuals utter when self-criticizing using the two-chair dialogue technique which enable to expose inward dialogues people lead with their self-critical parts. Out of 80 participants, the 20 most expressive participants were selected for the analysis: 15 women and 5 men (M = 27.7; SD 7.60). The data were analysed using Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR; Hill et al., 1997) with three members of a core team and one auditor. We identified three domains of self-criticism – Emotional (mainly inadequacy, fear, contempt, and disgust), Behavioural (mainly hurting and neglecting others, stating one’s shortcomings and motivating oneself), and Cognitive (primarily generalized judgements about one’s negative traits and reactions, perceived judgements by others or based on comparisons with others, and judgements relating to criticized situations and the effects of these). Expanding on the qualitative knowledge in the area of self-criticism would make for better planning and the provision of better treatment for highly self-critical people by mental health professionals.

Qualitative Analysis of Chair Tasks in Emotion-Focused Therapy Video Sessions

“…Our findings are in line with ample research identifying the establishment of high standards as a significant aspect of self-criticism [18,57]. Furthermore, this domain corresponds with the recent consensual qualitative study by Halamova et al [15]. Their data support our results that the self-critical voice highlights insufficiencies.…”

“…Participants in their research were criticising themselves for, e.g., lack of skills and performance. In line with this, another qualitative research by Halamova et al [15] recognised evaluation as a subdomain of the cognitive aspect. According to Thompson and Zuroff [61], there is a form of selfcriticism that emerges in situations when people do not meet internal personal standards.…”

“…Clients' inner critics were focusing on pointing out past and present wrong behaviours, doubting future actions, and telling what to do instead and what not to do. This goes along with another qualitative analysis on the verbal expression of self-criticism by Halamová et al [15]. In their study, participants were, among others, criticising themselves for doing something wrong in their lives.…”

“…I need you to stop putting me down like this' [11]. Outside of EFT, there a is recent qualitative study by Halamová et al [15] detecting the statements people express while talking to themselves self-critically in a two-chair dialogue. Participants were expressing feelings of inadequacy, disgust, contempt, helplessness, pity, disappointment, self-hate, and self-directed anger.…”

Unpacking the Relationship among Perceived Parental Rearing Styles, Perfectionist Tendencies and Self-criticism in University Students

“…As maladaptive perfectionists, people tend to experience more self-criticism that may later be related to depression (lo & Abbott, 2013). Self-criticism is an intense and persistent relationship with self-characterized by an uncompromising demand for high performance and expressions of hostility when expectations are not met (Halamová et al, 2021). Researchers suggest that self-criticism is highly likely to involve a quality of self-bashing and has adverse effects on our physical and mental health.…”