Satisfaction with Social Relations Buffers the Adverse Effect of (Mid–Level) Self–Critical Perfectionism in Brief Treatment for Depression

Abstract

Drawing from object relations and interpersonal theories, we tested the hypothesis that satisfaction with social relations buffers the adverse effect of self–critical perfectionism on outcome in brief treatment for depression. Using data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) sponsored Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Project (TDCRP), we found that the number of hours patients spent in satisfactory social relationships buffered the negative impact of pre-treatment self–critical perfectionism on therapeutic outcome, especially at mid–level self–critical perfectionism. Results confirm the interpersonal vulnerability of self–critical perfectionism, and attest to the remarkable similarity, in terms of personality and interpersonal relations, of processes occurring within and outside treatment.