The mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between self- criticism and depression symptoms in University students

Introduction: The assessment of global mental health indicates a rise in mental disorders especially those related to depression. Aim: Considering the high prevalence of depression symptoms and its serious implications, the aim of current study was to investigate the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between self-criticism and depression. Method: The research design was descriptive-correlational. Statitical population was dormitory male students at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. A total of 270 students were selected via convenience sampling. Data was collected using General Self-efficacy Scale, Self- Criticising Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory-II. Hierarchical regression was used to analyze data via SPSS-21. Results: Results showed that the relationship between self-criticism and depression (r=0.70, p<0.01) was significantly positive. On the other hand, self-efficacy and depression related to one another negatively (r=-0.47, p<0.01), as so did self-criticism and self-efficacy (r=-0.59, p<0.01). Results from hierarchical regression suggested self-efficacy not midiate the relationship between self-criticism and depression (P=0.096) although 49.6% of the depression variance was accounted by the two variables. Conclusion: Overall, given the direct effect of self-criticism on depression, it is reasonable to expect that diminished self-criticism reduces depression among university students.