The Mediating Role of Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion in the Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Students’ Depression

The current study aimed to explore the mediating role of self-criticism and self-compassion in the relationship between adverse child experiences (ACEs) and students’ depression among university students. To this end, 324 students from the University of Maragheh city, Iran, were selected by volunteer sampling in 2021-2022 as a cross-sectional study. Participants completed the adverse childhood experience questionnaire, levels of self-criticism scale, self-compassion scale, and Beck Depression inventory-second edition. The Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple mediation analysis were utilized to analyze data. Results showed that ACEs was positively correlated with self-criticism, negatively with positive and positively negative dimensions of self-compassion, and positive correlation with depression. Moreover, self-criticism showed a positive correlation with depression; positive and negative dimensions of self-compassion indicated respectively a negative and positive correlation with depression. The mediation analysis revealed levels of self-criticism and self-compassion dimensions, except mindfulness, partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and depression. The findings suggest ACEs are not only a direct risk factor for depression, but also exacerbate depression by increasing self-criticism and negative dimensions of self-compassion such as self-judgment, isolation and over identification as well as decreasing positive dimensions of self-compassion such as self-kindness and common humanity.