Is perfectionism always unhealthy? Examining the moderating effects of psychological flexibility and self‐compassion

Ong, Clarissa W.; Lee, Eric B.; Petersen, Julie M.; Levin, Michael E.; Twohig, Michael P.

doi:10.1002/jclp.23187

Cited by 14 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…This finding supports our hypothesis and extends previous studies that found that self-compassion a enuates self-criticism [26,31] and the negative reactions (such as a sense of failure and humiliation) to unpleasant life events [51]. Therefore, selfcompassion is a psychological resource that should cultivated especially in individuals with high levels of maladaptive perfectionism [52,53].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Well-Being and Perfectionism: Assessing the Mediational Role of Self-Compassion in Emerging Adults

Benedetto,

Macidonio,

Ingrassia

2024

Preprint

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The study explores how different dimensions of perfectionism influence psychological well-being (PWB) in emerging adults. Literature has deepened the relationships between maladaptive perfectionism (e.g., excessive self-criticism, perceived discrepancy from the standards) and low PWB. Less is known about whether and how adaptive perfectionism (e.g., pursuing personal standards) relates to PWB. Secondly, the study has investigated whether self-compassion (i.e., self-benevolence, seeing personal imperfections as a common condition) may mediate the relationships between adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism and PWB. Participants (N=217, 18-35 y. o.) completed self-report questionnaires measuring: adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism (Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, APS-R: high standards and order/discrepancy, respectively), PWB, and self-compassion (SCS). Adaptive perfectionism resulted associated with PWB, particularly higher presence of purpose in life, environmental mastery, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Conversely, discrepancy resulted the most robust predictor of low PWB (β=-.68), followed by high standards with a positive direction (β=.23; Rc²=.514, p&lt;.001). A strong negative association emerged between discrepancy and SCS (r=-.67, p&lt;.001). A mediation analysis shows that self-compassion has an indirect effect reducing the strength of the relationship between discrepancy and low PWB. Results suggest focusing on self-compassion as a buffer factor that reduces the negative impact of maladaptive perfectionism on psychological well-being. Implications for education and health psychology are discussed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Well-Being and Perfectionism: Assessing the Mediational Role of Self-Compassion in Emerging Adults

Benedetto,

Macidonio,

Ingrassia

2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In fact, existing literature supports this interpretation. The two studies that looked at the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression found the protective effect of self-compassion (Abdollahi et al, 2020;Ferrari et al, 2018), yet the one that looked at perfectionism and psychological distress (depression and anxiety symptoms combined) did not (Ong et al, 2021). With adaptive perfectionism controlled for, the current study further informs future research that self-compassion might have unique moderating effects on maladaptive perfectionism's relationships with depression and anxiety respectively.…”

Section: Distressmentioning

confidence: 52%

Bidimensional Perfectionism and Psychological Distress: The Roles of Self-Esteem and Self-Compassion

Chung,

Lee

2024

Preprint

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Perfectionism as a personality trait can be seen as having both adaptive and maladaptive dimensions. Nevertheless, their relationships with psychological distress remain mixed in the current literature. Previous studies were also limited by the use of impure measurements and the failure to statistically control for the effects of the other dimension. By addressing these major limitations and exploring the mediating and moderating roles of self-esteem and self- compassion, the current study provides an in-depth examination of the relationships between bidimensional perfectionism and psychological distress. In a community sample of 503 adults, results supported a bidimensional view of perfectionism, with maladaptive perfectionism positively predicting psychological distress and adaptive perfectionism being unrelated to psychological distress. Self-esteem was found to mediate the relationships between both dimensions of perfectionism and psychological distress. Self-compassion was only found to moderate the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and self-esteem. Whilst the maladaptive nature of maladaptive perfectionism was supported in this study, findings suggested that adaptive perfectionism remains a more complicated construct. Future studies should aim at clarifying the nature and psychological outcomes of adaptive perfectionism.

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“…Be aware of these internal states, particularly recognizing the hypercritical judgment towards oneself, which allows people to change their attitude and treat themselves with benevolence and understanding (e.g., being kind to yourself even when you cannot reach your best). Therefore, self-compassion is a psychological resource that should be cultivated, especially in individuals with high levels of maladaptive perfectionism [35,55].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Well-Being and Perfectionism: Assessing the Mediational Role of Self-Compassion in Emerging Adults

Benedetto,

Macidonio,

Ingrassia

2024

EJIHPE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The study explores how different dimensions of perfectionism influence psychological well-being (PWB) in emerging adults. Literature has deepened the relationships between maladaptive perfectionism (e.g., excessive self-criticism, perceived discrepancy from the standards) and low PWB. Less is known about whether and how adaptive perfectionism (e.g., pursuing personal standards) relates to PWB. Secondly, the study has investigated whether self-compassion (i.e., self-benevolence, seeing personal imperfections as a common condition) may mediate the relationships between adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism and PWB. Participants (N = 217, 18–35 y. o.) completed self-report questionnaires measuring: adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism (Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, APS-R: high standards and order/discrepancy, respectively), PWB, and self-compassion (SCS). Adaptive perfectionism was associated with PWB, particularly a higher presence of purpose in life, environmental mastery, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Conversely, discrepancy resulted in the most robust predictor of low PWB (β = −0.68), followed by high standards with a positive direction (β = 0.23; Rc2 = 0.514, p < 0.001). A strong negative association emerged between discrepancy and SCS (r = −0.67, p < 0.001). A mediation analysis shows that self-compassion has an indirect effect, reducing the strength of the relationship between discrepancy and low PWB. Results suggest focusing on self-compassion as a buffer factor that reduces the negative impact of maladaptive perfectionism on psychological well-being. Implications for education and health psychology are discussed.

show abstract

Is perfectionism always unhealthy? Examining the moderating effects of psychological flexibility and self‐compassion

Cited by 14 publications

References 28 publications

Well-Being and Perfectionism: Assessing the Mediational Role of Self-Compassion in Emerging Adults

Well-Being and Perfectionism: Assessing the Mediational Role of Self-Compassion in Emerging Adults

Bidimensional Perfectionism and Psychological Distress: The Roles of Self-Esteem and Self-Compassion

Well-Being and Perfectionism: Assessing the Mediational Role of Self-Compassion in Emerging Adults

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