A concept involving the interpersonal expression of perfection, perfectionistic self-presentation, is introduced. It is argued that perfectionistic self-presentation is a maladaptive self-presentational style composed of three facets: perfectionistic self-promotion (i.e., proclaiming and displaying one's perfection), nondisplay of imperfection (i.e., concealing and avoiding behavioral demonstrations of one's imperfection), and nondisclosure of imperfection (i.e., evading and avoiding verbal admissions of one's imperfection). Several studies involving diverse samples demonstrate that perfectionistic self-presentation is a valid and reliable construct and a consistent factor in personal and interpersonal psychological distress. It is argued that the need to promote one's perfection or the desire to conceal one's imperfection involves self-esteem regulation in the interpersonal context.

The authors tested whether perfectionism dimensions interact with specific stress to predict depression over time. A sample of 103 current and former patients completed measures of perfectionism and depression at Time 1 and measures of stress and depression 4 months later. After controlling Time 1 depression, self-oriented perfectionism interacted only with achievement stress to predict Time 2 depression. Socially prescribed perfectionism did not interact with achievement or social stress to predict Time 2 depression, but it did predict Time 2 depression as a main effect. The results provide support for the contention that perfectionism dimensions are involved in vulnerability to depression over time.Depressive disorders are recognized as among the most prevalent forms of psychopathology, and a goal among researchers is to identify factors that predispose people to these disorders. Most theorists (e.g., Beck, 1983;Blatt & Zuroff, 1992) have distinguished between personality vulnerability factors that involve achievement versus social concerns. Perfectionism is a personality variable of importance in depression, and the achievement and social distinction has been incorporated into the perfectionism construct (Frost, Marten, Lahart, & Rosenblate, 1990; Hewitt & Flett, 1991b). For instance, Hewitt and Flett (1991b) identified self-oriented perfectionism as an achievement-based dimension that involves the need for one's own perfection. In contrast, other-oriented perfectionism is an interpersonal dimension that involves the need for others to be perfect, and socially prescribed perfectionism is an interpersonal dimension that involves the belief that others expect perfection from oneself.Self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism are the dimensions most relevant to depression (Hewitt & Flett, 199la), and two mechanisms have been proposed to account

The present study tested whether perfectionism dimensions uniquely predict chronic unipolar and chronic bipolar symptoms. A sample of 121 patients and former patients completed the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the General Behavior Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory. The results confirmed that the perfectionism dimensions are related to chronicity of depression symptoms. Whereas self-oriented perfectionism was uniquely associated only with chronic unipolar symptoms, both socially prescribed and other-oriented perfectionism were uniquely associated with chronic bipolar symptoms. Importantly, these relationships remained significant after controlling for the effects of concurrent state depression. Finally, only socially prescribed perfectionism was uniquely associated with state depression. The results provide support for the position that perfectionism dimensions are important in both chronic and state depression symptoms, but the perfectionism dimensions may differ in terms of their degree of association with various facets of depressive phenomena. ResumeCette etude cherche a determiner si les divers types de perfectionnisme ne permettent de pr&iire que les symptomes unipolaires et bipolaires chroniques. Cent vingt et un (121) patients et anciens patients ont rempli 1'echelle multidimensionnelle du perfectionnisme, 1'inventaire du comportement general et 1'inventaire de depression de Beck. Les resultats ont confirme qu'il existe des liens entre les types de perfectionnisme et la chronicite des symptomes de depression. Alors que le perfectionnisme oriente vers soi etait associe aux symptomes unipolaires chroniques, le perfectionnisme oriente vers les autres et le perfectionnisme prescrit par la societe etaient tous deux associes aux symptomes bipolaires chroniques. II importe de souligner que ces liens sont demeures importants meme apres qu'il y a eu controle des effets d'une depression ponctuelle concomitante. Enfin, seul le perfectionnisme prescrit par la societe etait associe a la depression ponctuelle. Les resultats justifient la position que les types de perfectionnisme jouent un role important dans 1'expression des symptomes de depression chronique et ponctuelle, mais que leur degre d'association avec les divers aspects de la depression peut varier.Depression in Canada, as elsewhere, is a common form of psychological disturbance. It has been estimated that 5% of men and 10% of women will become severely depressed at least once during their lives (Woodruff, Goodwin, & Guze, 1974). In samples of Canadian women between 18 and 65 years, approximately 8% had been clinically depressed within the previous year (Costello, 1982) and in 1994, over 1.1 million Canadians experienced a major depression episode (Diverty & Beaudet, 1997). Also, an examination of general-practice patients in Canada found that one-third of all patients were experiencing at least mild levels of depression (Barnes & Prosen, 1984; also see Costello & Devins, 1989). Depression tends to exact its toll in many ways with economic...

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