Abstract
Unhealthy or negative perfectionism has been identified as both a risk and maintaining factor for a range of psychological difficulties. A cross-sectional online study with a predominantly student population (. n=. 381) investigated cognitive processes suggested to mediate the relationship between unhealthy perfectionism and distress. Hypothesised cognitive processes were assessed using questionnaires about rumination, habitual self-critical thinking, unhelpful beliefs about emotions, self-compassion and mindfulness. Factor analysis of these questionnaires suggested two distinct underlying constructs, labelled self-criticism and present-moment awareness. Higher levels of self-criticism were associated with unhealthy perfectionism and psychological distress, and partially mediated this relationship. Present-moment awareness was associated with unhealthy perfectionism but not distress. These findings are consistent with the possibility that repetitive or habitual self-critical thinking is a process through which unhealthy perfectionism may result in greater distress. Future research could investigate whether interventions targeting self-criticism may help to reduce distress in individuals with high levels of unhealthy perfectionism.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 123-128 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Personality and Individual Differences |
Volume | 79 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Psychology
Keywords
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Perfectionism
- Self-criticism
- Stress