Analysis of Action Units, Emotions, and Voice Units in High and Low Self-Critical Participants During Self-Criticizing

Self-criticism is considered a transdiagnostic predictor of psychopathology, treatment, and persistence. Hence, diagnosing the various levels of self-criticism might help in its early screening, prevention and then easier treatment. Recently, self-criticism has even been associated with the reduced capacity to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of our research was to analyze differences in action units, emotions, and voice units in individuals with higher versus lower levels of self-criticism. Our convenience sample consisted of high and low self-critical individuals who ranked in the upper (26 participants) and lower (26 participants) 15th percentiles of the Hated Self subscale, according to the Slovak norms for the Forms of Self-criticizing/attacking & Self-reassuring Scale. Participants were selected from a total sample of 262 and were recorded while criticizing themselves using the two-chair technique. The recordings were analyzed using iMotions and Praat software. The multilevel random slope and random intercept analyses and logistic multilevel regression analyses were done in Program R. Compared to low self-critical participants, high self-critical participants showed significantly less fear and more anger. High self-critical participants used the following action units significantly less often than low self-critical participants: AU5 (Eye Widen), AU10 (Upper Lip Raise), AU12 (Smirk). Conversely, high self-critics used AU6 (Cheek Raise), AU1 (Inner Brow Raise), AU4 (Brow Furrow) significantly more often. In our sample, there were no differences in pitch or intensity of voice between high and low self-critical participants. The findings of this study may contribute to better diagnosis of individuals with higher and lower levels of self-criticism, irrespective of self-rating instruments.