KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling (JARAC) 7 Serial Number 25 2025 04 01 Self-Criticism and Emotional Numbness: The Mediating Role of Self-Alienation Self-Criticism and Emotional Numbness: The Mediating Role of Self-Alienation 181 190 10.61838/kman.jarac.7.2.21 EN Journal Article 2024 11 27 <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to investigate whether self-alienation mediates the relationship between self-criticism and emotional numbness among adults.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials: </strong>A descriptive correlational design was employed with a sample of 415 adults from Mexico, selected based on the Krejcie and Morgan sample size table. Participants completed standardized self-report measures assessing self-criticism, self-alienation, and emotional numbness. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 for descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation, and AMOS-21 for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Assumptions of normality, linearity, and multicollinearity were tested and confirmed prior to analysis.</p> <p><strong>Findings: </strong>Pearson correlation results indicated significant positive associations between self-criticism and emotional numbness (r = .47, p &lt; .001), self-criticism and self-alienation (r = .58, p &lt; .001), and self-alienation and emotional numbness (r = .61, p &lt; .001). The SEM analysis demonstrated acceptable model fit indices (χ²/df = 2.35, GFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.057). Direct effects were significant for self-criticism on emotional numbness (β = .32, p &lt; .001), self-criticism on self-alienation (β = .51, p &lt; .001), and self-alienation on emotional numbness (β = .43, p &lt; .001). The indirect effect of self-criticism on emotional numbness via self-alienation was also significant (β = .22, p &lt; .001), confirming the partial mediating role of self-alienation.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings underscore the critical role of self-alienation as a mediating mechanism between self-criticism and emotional numbness. These results highlight the importance of addressing internal disconnection in interventions aimed at reducing affective disengagement in self-critical individuals. Targeting both self-criticism and self-alienation may enhance emotional re-engagement and psychological well-being.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> https://journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/jarac/article/download/4074/6981