Abstract
This study investigated relationships between perfectionism and psychological distress in a sample of first year college students
further divided between those who were enrolled in an honors curriculum (n = 60) and those who were not (n = 53). Participants completed the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (PCI), the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale
(MPS), and the profile of mood states (POMS) at the start of the semester and then again 6 weeks later. Results revealed that
one dimension of the MPS—maladaptive evaluative concerns (EC)—was positively associated with tension-anxiety and depression-dejection
scores, while a second factor—pure personal standards (PS)—was negatively related to distress after extraneous variance was
removed. Perfectionism cognitions as measured by the PCI either fully or partially mediated most relationships. Honors students
reported higher personal standards than did controls, a difference that was consistent at 6-week follow-up.
further divided between those who were enrolled in an honors curriculum (n = 60) and those who were not (n = 53). Participants completed the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (PCI), the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale
(MPS), and the profile of mood states (POMS) at the start of the semester and then again 6 weeks later. Results revealed that
one dimension of the MPS—maladaptive evaluative concerns (EC)—was positively associated with tension-anxiety and depression-dejection
scores, while a second factor—pure personal standards (PS)—was negatively related to distress after extraneous variance was
removed. Perfectionism cognitions as measured by the PCI either fully or partially mediated most relationships. Honors students
reported higher personal standards than did controls, a difference that was consistent at 6-week follow-up.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-012-9462-7
- Authors
- Tessa E. Wimberley, CSSME/Psychology/Box Q, The University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606, USA
- Michael J. Stasio, CSSME/Psychology/Box Q, The University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606, USA
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916