Author: Asnea Tariq Bashir
Supervisor: Aasma Yousuf
Degree: BS
Year: 2010-2014
University: Centre for Clinical Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The present study aimed at examining the difference between adolescents and young adults in terms of experiencing self-criticism, self-silencing, loneliness and depressive symptoms. It was hypothesized that (a) adolescents will likely to report higher self-criticism, self-silencing, loneliness and depressive symptoms as compared to young adults, (b) there will likely to be gender differences on self-criticism, self-silencing, loneliness and depressive symptoms, (c) adolescents, young adults and gender will likely to differ in relation self-criticism, self-silencing, loneliness and depressive symptoms. Between group research design was used in the study. A sample of 241 adolescents boys (n=61) and girl (n=60) of mean age 17.95 (SD= 1.09) and young adult boys (n= 42) and girls (n=78) of mean age 21.11 (SD= 1.42) were selected through Non- probability purposive sampling strategy from different government sector universities and colleges. English version of Depressive experience questionnaire (Blatt, D’Affliti & Quinlan, 1995), Silencing the self-scale (Jack & Dill, 1992), UCLA loneliness scale-version 3 (Russell, Peplau & Cutrona, 1996) and Centre for epidemiological studies depression-Revision (Eaton et. al., 2004) were administered on the participant. Two way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant main effects of self-criticism (p < .001) and self-silencing (p < .001) while significant interaction effects of loneliness (p < .001) and depressive symptoms (p < .001) on adolescents, young adults and gender. Pearson product moment correlation showed a significant positive relationship among self-criticism, self-silencing, loneliness and depressive symptoms. Regression analysis depicts that self-criticism and loneliness were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. The findings of the present study will be helpful for mental health professionals, student counselors and parents to understand the issues of adolescents and young adults.
Keywords: Self-criticism, Self-silencing, Loneliness, Depressive Symptoms.
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