How Automatic Thoughts Influence Self-Hate and Self-Efficacy: The Role of Emotion Regulation

This study aimed to examine the effect of automatic thoughts on self-hate and the mediating roles of self-efficacy and difficulties in emotion regulation in this relationship. The study sample consisted of 610 participants, 461 females and 149 males, aged between 18 and 60. Data collection tools included the Demographic Information Form, Automatic Thoughts Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Self-Hate Scale. Correlation analyses showed that automatic thoughts were positively correlated with self-hate and difficulties in emotion regulation, while self-efficacy was negatively correlated with automatic thoughts, difficulties in emotion regulation, and self-hate. Regression and sequential mediation analyses revealed that automatic negative thoughts directly increased the level of self-hate. However, the strength of this relationship decreased when self-efficacy was included in the model, indicating that low self-efficacy partially mediated the link between automatic thoughts and self-hate. Although emotion regulation difficulties initially appeared to be a significant mediator, their effect diminished when self-efficacy was added. This finding suggests that emotion regulation difficulties indirectly contribute to increased self-hate by weakening self-efficacy. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of strengthening self-efficacy and targeting negative automatic cognitions in psychological interventions related to self-hate.