Silent Wounds: The Impact of Ostracism and Self-Criticism on the Psychological Well-Being of Young Adults in Pakistan

Abstract

Ostracism, or social exclusion, has emerged as a significant psychosocial concern among young adults, with profound implications for their mental health and psychological well-being. The present study explored the associations among ostracism, self-criticism, and psychological well-being in a sample of 300 young adults (150 males, 150 females) aged 18 to 26 years. It was hypothesized that ostracism would be positively associated with self-criticism and that both constructs would negatively predict psychological well-being. Moreover, self-criticism was expected to mediate the relationship between ostracism and well-being. Measures included the Ostracism Scale (Ferris, 2008), the Self-Critical Rumination Scale (Smart, 2016), and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (Ryff, 1994). Findings revealed a positive correlation between ostracism and self-criticism, while both were inversely related to psychological well-being. Mediation analysis further indicated that self-criticism partially mediated the association between ostracism and well-being, particularly influencing the domains of autonomy and environmental mastery. Gender differences were observed, with males reporting higher levels of ostracism and females exhibiting greater self-criticism. These results underscore the intertwined roles of social exclusion and self-critical tendencies in shaping the psychological well-being of young adults. The study highlights the need for targeted psychosocial interventions that address both ostracism and maladaptive self-criticism to promote healthier adjustment in emerging adulthood.