KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS) 2981-2526 In Press 2026 12 10 The Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy on Self-Criticism and Internalized Shame in Students Experiencing Failure in the University Entrance Exam The Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy on Self-Criticism and Internalized Shame in Students Experiencing Failure in the University Entrance Exam 1 15 EN Journal Article 2026 04 06 <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>Objective:</strong> The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) on reducing self-criticism and internal shame in female students who experienced failure in the university entrance exam (Konkoor).</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials:</strong> This research was a single-case experimental design with a multiple baseline and one-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of female Konkoor repeaters in Karaj with at least one unsuccessful attempt in the 2024-2025 national exam. Three participants were selected voluntarily based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and received the EFT protocol (Greenberg, 2004)  in 8 individual 90-minute sessions. Research instruments included the Levels of Self-Criticism Scale (Thompson &amp; Zuroff, 2004) (Thompson &amp; Zuroff, 2004) and the Internalized Shame Scale (Cook, 2013) (Cook, 1998). Data were analyzed using within-condition (median, mean, stability envelope, range, relative and absolute level change) and between-condition analyses (trend and level changes, PND, Tau-U, NAP, IRD) along with Hedges’ g effect size.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><strong>Findings:</strong> Results indicated that self-criticism and internal shame scores were high and highly stable during the baseline phase. Following the intervention, a sharp, stable, and consistent decrease was observed in both variables across all participants. The PND index was 100% for both variables in all three cases. The mean percentage of improvement in the follow-up phase was 17.85% for self-criticism and 40.50% for internal shame. Tau-U and Hedges’ g effect sizes were also very large and significant.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Findings suggest that Emotion-Focused Therapy is an effective and durable deep cognitive-experiential intervention for reducing self-criticism and internal shame resulting from Konkoor failure in female students. It is recommended that this approach be applied in academic counseling centers.</p> https://journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/jayps/article/download/5844/11192