Perfectionism, Goal Adjustment, and Self-Regulation: A Short-term Follow-up Study of Distress and Coping

Abstract

This study examined socially-prescribed and self-oriented perfectionism (SPP and SOP) and goal adjustment in relation to goal pursuit, depression, and coping. Students (N = 388) completed measures of perfectionism, idiographic goal pursuit, goal adjustment, and depressive symptoms, and a subset (n = 138) completed an online follow-up assessing stress-related depression and coping. SPP, but not SOP, was associated with current depressive symptoms at both time points. SPP was associated with less optimism about goal success, and the interaction between SPP and goal disengagement predicted stress-related depression and maladaptive coping. SOP was associated with greater optimism about the likelihood of goal success and stronger emotional responses to goal success and failure, and SOP interacted with goal reengagement to predict adaptive coping.