Abstract

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, and social withdrawal with depression. Mediation analysis showed that social withdrawal partially mediates the association of self-criticism and depression (β = ¬.35; p

Key words: Self-criticism, social withdrawal, depression, adolescents.