Abstract
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.
Highlights
Dual process model of perfectionismPerfectionism is commonly defined as the tendency to set excessively high standards for performance accompanied by tendencies for overly critical evaluations of one’s behavior.[1]
The result was an unambiguous three-factor solution with the factor discrepancy, concern over mistakes (CM), socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) and parental expectation loading on factor 1; selforiented perfectionism (SOP), high standards and OOP loading on factor 2; and organisation or order loading on factor 3
Consistent with the findings by Suddarth and Slaney,[4] the present research using EFA and CFA supported the contention that perfectionism may be best explained as a three-factor construct using the dimensions of adaptive perfectionism, maladaptive perfectionism and orderliness
Summary
Perfectionism is commonly defined as the tendency to set excessively high standards for performance accompanied by tendencies for overly critical evaluations of one’s behavior.[1] Evidence has confirmed that adaptive (positive striving) and maladaptive (maladaptive evaluation concerns) perfectionism can be distinguished.[1] Slade and Owens[2] explicated a dual process model of perfectionism which was based on underlying functional differences. It makes means to examine if the three perfectionism scales (FMPS, HMPS and APS-R) converge into the same three dimensions (adaptive, maladaptive and organisation/order) in Chinese university students. It was predicted that maladaptive dimensions of perfectionism would be worse off over time, accompanied with increased level of depression at Time 2, while adaptive dimensions of http://www.sajpsychiatry.org perfectionism would protect against increased level of depression at Time 2 after controlling for the depression baseline levels
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