Perfectionism and negative repetitive thoughts: Examining a multiple mediator model in relation to mindfulness

• Published in: Personality and individual differences 2013-10, Vol.55 (6), p.716-721
• Main Authors: Short, Megan M., Mazmanian, Dwight
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Mindfulness; Perfectionism; Personality traits; Personality. Affectivity; Psychological distress; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Rumination; Worry
• ISSN: 0191-8869; 1873-3549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2013.05.026

•Tested worry and rumination as mediators between perfectionism and distress.•Mediator model examined in relation to five facets of mindfulness.•Awareness and non-judgment uniquely explained negative thoughts and distress.•Worry mediated perfectionism–distress link for those low and high in mindfulness.•Rumination mediated perfectionism–distress link only for those low in mindfulness. Perfectionism is known to be associated with various maladaptive outcomes, yet little research has examined mechanisms underlying perfectionism or potential protective factors. This study investigated worry and rumination as mediators between perfectionism and psychological distress in university students (N=213), and related the multiple mediator model to a five-facet conceptualization of mindfulness. Socially prescribed perfectionism was related to higher levels of distress, including negative affect, depression, anxiety, and stress, while self-oriented perfectionism and other-oriented perfectionism appeared unrelated to distress. Mindfulness facets of acting with awareness, non-judging of inner experience, and to a lesser extent non-reactivity to inner experience, were the strongest independent contributors to perfectionism, negative repetitive thoughts, and distress. Worry and rumination mediated the relationship between socially prescribed perfectionism and negative affect; however, the mediating effect of rumination was absent in those high in mindfulness. These findings suggest that a mindfulness disposition may mitigate distress related to socially prescribed perfectionism by removing the mediating effect of ruminative thought. Future research might explore a mindfulness-training program to target negative repetitive thoughts underlying socially prescribed perfectionism.