“I’m so dumb and worthless right now”: Factors associated with heightened momentary self-criticism in daily life

The trait of self-criticism is a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychopathology. Although self-criticism is certainly an individual difference, whereby people higher in self-criticism are more vulnerable to psychopathology compared to people low in self-criticism, self-criticism is also something people can do in moments of time. The current study describes the development of a brief index of momentary self-criticism using ecological momentary assessment, with the aim of exploring 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, current social support, degree of criticism from others, current context (location, activity, hunger, tiredness) and momentary self-criticism. We first validated the new 3-item index of momentary self-criticism by demonstrating that self-criticism varies over time and across contexts, and is also associated with heightened trait self-criticism. Then, using multilevel modeling, we explored the contextual factors associated with greater self-criticism, as well as the psychological factors. 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, prior prompt negative affect and perceived criticism from others predicted subsequent self-criticism. This study provides evidence that self-criticism is not only a trait, but an activity that varies over time.