Self-criticism and social withdrawal as risk factors for depression in adolescents

Objective: To examine the mediating role of social withdrawal in self-criticism and depression. Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 712 adolescents (Girls = 349, Boys = 363) aged 12 to 19 years (Mean 14.97 ± 1.30) recruited through multistage sampling technique from mainstream government schools of Lahore. Results: There was a positive relationship of self-criticism with social withdrawal and depression, andsocial withdrawal with depression. Mediation analysis showed that social withdrawal partially mediates the association of self-criticism and depression (β = .35; p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlighted that not only self-criticism causes depression in adolescents but also social withdrawal affects the level of depression.