Depression symptom level and the perception of criticism

An individual's perception of the levels of criticism to which he or she is exposed (PC) was hypothesized to be a manifestation of the negative cognitive bias displayed by people with depression symptoms. In the present study, eighty undergraduate students individually completed measures of depression, anxiety, perceived criticism, and positive and negative affect. Students were then given mildly negative feedback while they completed a laboratory task, and then students completed a measure of criticism perceived during the task. Levels of depression symptoms were positively associated with criticism perceived during the task as well as criticism perceived in current, significant relationships. The tendency to perceive criticism related to social-evaluative anxiety but not general anxiety. Perceived criticism associated with a decrease in positive affect and task performance level, and an increase in negative affect, regardless of level of depressive symptoms.