| Self-criticism is a well researched personality construct that develops during childhood and later tends to predispose individuals to interpersonal problems, suicide, and other forms of psychopathology (Blatt, 1995, 2004). Emotional intelligence, on the other hand, may promote well being, relationship satisfaction, and success (Bar-On, 2000; Goleman, 1995; Mayer & Salovey, 1990; Zeidner, Roberts, & Matthews, 2002). A number of self-report measures of self-criticism, emotional intelligence, meta-emotional structures, retrospective accounts of childhood experiences, interpersonal distress, and mental health were completed by 297 university students. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling. In brief, the results of the study found that recollections of parents as cold and harsh led to the development of self-criticism. Self-criticism led to difficulty accessing, utilizing, and regulating one's emotions. Furthermore, self-criticism increased interpersonal distress and other psychopathologies. On the other hand, recollections of parents as warm and supportive led to increased abilities to access, utilize, and regulate one's emotions. In particular, the ability to repair one's negative emotions led to improved mental health and positive affect. This research connects the self-criticism and emotional intelligence constructs together under an evolutionary perspective (Sloman, Gilbert, & Hasey, 2003). In brief, self-critics experience prolonged attachment ruptures, which stunts psycho-physiological emotional development. This can interfere with self-critics' abilities to appropriately process emotions and appraise the interpersonal environment. Feeling inferior, self-critics may be afraid of rejection and attempt to prove themselves, which leaves self-critics vulnerable to interpersonal distress and other psychopathologies. Further implications are discussed. |
