It has been suggested that self‐criticism derived from the family environment is a major vulnerability factor for depression. We tested in a sample of young women the hypothesis that self‐criticism would be linked to parental reports of criticism, with perceived parental criticism playing a mediating role. Results indicated that self‐criticism over appearance was independent of the other types of self‐criticism measured. The data revealed additionally that self‐criticism was related, independently of depression, to perceived parental criticism, but not to parents' own reports of criticism. Self‐criticism over appearance was not related to parenta