Self-oriented perfectionism, neuroticism and anxiety

Abstract

Although research suggest that individual differences in perfectionism are related differentially to adjustment, many correlates of the perfectionism construct remain to be investigated. The present study investigated whether individual differences in perfectionism are related to neuroticism and anxiety. The present study also investigated the possible mediating role of life stress on the association between these constructs. A sample of 162 subjects completed the Perfectionism Scale, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Eysenck Personality Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Scale. Correlational analyses revealed that perfectionism was correlated marginally with neuroticism. A stronger correlation was present between perfectionism and trait anxiety. Regression analyses suggested that the interaction of perfectionism and high life stress predicted neuroticism and trait anxiety. The implications of the current findings are discussed.