A Psychological Understanding of Criticism and Mental Health

A Psychological Understanding of Criticism and Mental Health examines how criticism impacts mental health, relationships and communication across diverse contexts, offering evidence-based strategies for mental health practitioners seeking to foster resilience and support healthier interactions in their clients. Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of how criticism is expressed, perceived and managed in various situations, including families, schools and diverse cultural contexts. Chapters explore topics including, but not limited to, the neuroscientific basis of responses to criticism, the role of caregiver burden in critical communication, the effectiveness of family interventions as it is tailored to cultural needs and Depict VR-a virtual reality intervention. Practical guidance is highlighted throughout to show how practitioners may support constructive conversations and promote positive communication. This book is essential reading for mental health practitioners, educators, caregivers and individuals seeking to improve communication skills and navigate criticism in personal, professional and cultural contexts. It also serves as a valuable resource for practitioners aiming to strengthen therapeutic relationships with patients and those that support them.

Preethi Premkumar is a psychologist, neuroscientist and expert in anxiety in family relationships and other social contexts. She also designs digital mental health applications to improve relationships.

Introduction Chapter 1. Expressed emotion in family members of individuals with severe mental illnesses Chapter 2. Measuring sensitivity to criticism and its relationship to mental health Chapter 3. Sensitivity to criticism in relation to children's theory of mind and functioning at school Chapter 4. Cultural variations in the perception of criticism Chapter 5. Criticism as a conditional stimulus and its link to the brain reward system Chapter 6. Treatment approaches for reducing criticism and expressed emotion in families with serious mental illness Chapter 7. Depict VR: a virtual-reality intervention for hearing voices and addressing perceived criticism in close relationships Chapter 8. Conclusion and future directions for studying criticism and mental health