Self-Compassion as a Mediator of Maladaptive Perfectionism and Depressive Symptoms in College Students

Mehr, Kristin E.; Adams, Aimee C.

doi:10.1080/87568225.2016.1140991

Cited by 78 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Empirical data from non-clinical populations is supportive of this idea. Self-compassion partially mediated the association between perfectionism and depression in university students (Mehr and Adams, 2016); while in another study (Ferrari et al, 2018), moderation analyses revealed that self-compassion was associated with diminished strength of the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression in two independent samples (adolescents and adults). In a related study, we found that self-compassion mediated the relationship between vulnerability to BD and psychological distress in a non-clinical sample (Yang et al, 2018).…”

Section: Perfectionism In Bipolar Disordermentioning

confidence: 87%

Buffering against maladaptive perfectionism in bipolar disorder: The role of self-compassion

Fletcher

Yang

Johnson

et al. 2019

Journal of Affective Disorders

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Background: Maladaptive perfectionism is a transdiagnostic risk and maintaining factor for a range of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder (BD). Self-compassion represents a potential protective factor against maladaptive perfectionism, however no studies to date have examined the relationship of these constructs in BD. The aim of the present study was to examine associations between maladaptive perfectionism, self-compassion and symptoms among individuals with BD.Methods: Baseline data were collected from 302 participants with a DSM-IV diagnosis of BD participating in an international randomised controlled trial. Participants completed measures of maladaptive perfectionism, self-compassion, symptom severity and emotion regulation difficulties.Clinician-administered measures of depression and mania severity were additionally collected.Correlation and mediation analyses were conducted. Results: Maladaptive perfectionism was positively associated with depression, anxiety and emotion regulation difficulties. Lower levels of self-compassion correlated with greater self-reported depression, anxiety and emotion regulation difficulties. Self-compassion partially mediated relationships between maladaptive perfectionism, depression, anxiety and emotion regulation difficulties. Limitations: The cross-sectional design limits conclusions about causal relationships between study variables. Results may not be generalizable to other BD populations. The role of maladaptive perfectionism and self-compassion in elevated mood states of BD remains unclear.Conclusion: Self-compassion represents one mechanism through which maladaptive perfectionism influences symptoms of depression, anxiety and emotion regulation difficulties in BD. Self-compassion represents a modifiable treatment target; individuals with BD exhibiting maladaptive perfectionistic tendencies may benefit from interventions fostering self-compassion.

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Section: Perfectionism In Bipolar Disordermentioning

confidence: 87%

Buffering against maladaptive perfectionism in bipolar disorder: The role of self-compassion

Fletcher

Yang

Johnson

et al. 2019

Journal of Affective Disorders

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“…This may particularly be the case should people respond with self-compassion in times of error or distress rather than harsh self-criticism which could otherwise lead to maladaptive helplessness and hopelessness. One study to-date has specifically examined self-compassion in the context of perfectionism and depression [ 30 ]. The authors found that self-compassion partially mediated the link between perfectionism and depression in a sample of university students [ 30 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One study to-date has specifically examined self-compassion in the context of perfectionism and depression [ 30 ]. The authors found that self-compassion partially mediated the link between perfectionism and depression in a sample of university students [ 30 ]. Positioning self-compassion to be a mediator theoretically suggests that the perfectionism reduces self-compassion and reduced self-compassion in turn increases depression.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-compassion moderates the perfectionism and depression link in both adolescence and adulthood

et al. 2018

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BackgroundPsychological practitioners often seek to directly change the form or frequency of clients’ maladaptive perfectionist thoughts, because such thoughts predict future depression. Indirect strategies, such as self-compassion interventions, that seek to change clients’ relationships to difficult thoughts, rather than trying to change the thoughts directly could be just as effective. This study aimed to investigate whether self-compassion moderated, or weakened, the relationship between high perfectionism and high depression symptoms in both adolescence and adulthood.MethodsThe present study utilised anonymous self-report questionnaires to assess maladaptive perfectionism, depression, and self-compassion across two samples covering much of the lifespan. Questionnaires were administered in a high school setting for the adolescent sample (Study 1, Mage = 14.1 years, n = 541), and advertised through university and widely online to attract a convenience sample of adults (Study 2, Mage = 25.22 years, n = 515).ResultsModeration analyses revealed that self-compassion reduced the strength of relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression in our adolescent Study 1 (β = -.15, p < .001, R2 = .021.) and our adult study 2 (β = -.14, p < .001, R2 = .020).LimitationsCross-sectional self-reported data restricts the application of causal conclusions and also relies on accurate self-awareness and willingness to respond to questionnaire openly.ConclusionsThe replication of this finding in two samples and across different age-appropriate measures suggests that self-compassion does moderate the link between perfectionism and depression. Self-compassion interventions may be a useful way to undermine the effects of maladaptive perfectionism, but future experimental or intervention research is needed to fully assess this important possibility.

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“… 1 , 2 Suddarth and Slaney 4 conducted a factor analysis using three measures of perfectionism, The Hewitt and Flett Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (HMPS), The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) and the Revised Almost Perfect Scale (APS-R) and found three factors which they labelled ‘maladaptive perfectionism’, ‘adaptive perfectionism’ and ‘orderliness’. A number of studies demonstrated that maladaptive perfectionism dimensions are strongly associated with negative outcomes, such as anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, 5 , 6 whereas adaptive perfectionism dimensions have shown positive relationships with positive outcomes such as positive affect (PA), academic achievement and life satisfaction. 7 , 8…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dual model of perfectionism and depression among Chinese University students

Wang

Zhang

2017

S. Afr. J. Psych.

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The dual model of perfectionism was adopted to explore the influence of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism on depression in college students. The results support the dual process model of perfectionism in Chinese undergraduates. A sample of 206 Chinese undergraduates completed measures of perfectionism, General Self-efficacy Measure, Beck Depression Inventory, State Anxiety Inventory, Positive and Negative Affect Scale (Time 1) and Beck Depression Inventory 4 months later (Time 2). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the three-factor model of perfectionism with dimensions of maladaptive perfectionism, adaptive perfectionism and order factor fit the date well. Partial correlations analyses revealed that maladaptive perfectionism was related to psychopathology, whereas adaptive perfectionism was more closely correlated with positive features of mental health. In cross-sectional analyses, the discrepancy which measures the perceived difference between the standards one has set for one’s own behaviour and actual performance and the socially prescribed perfectionism subscales of maladaptive perfectionism could significantly predict baseline depressive symptoms. However, after controlling for the initial scores of depression, none of the perfectionism subscales significantly predicted the change in depression across a 4-month lag. Distinguishing adaptive and maladaptive aspects of perfectionism may be beneficial to understanding the influence of perfectionism on depression.

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Self-Compassion as a Mediator of Maladaptive Perfectionism and Depressive Symptoms in College Students

Cited by 78 publications

References 31 publications

Buffering against maladaptive perfectionism in bipolar disorder: The role of self-compassion

Buffering against maladaptive perfectionism in bipolar disorder: The role of self-compassion

Self-compassion moderates the perfectionism and depression link in both adolescence and adulthood

The dual model of perfectionism and depression among Chinese University students

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