Reciprocal Relations Between Self-Critical Perfectionism and Depressive Symptoms: Evidence From a Short-Term, Four-Wave Longitudinal Study

• Published in: Canadian journal of behavioural science 2012-07, Vol.44 (3), p.169-181
• Main Authors: McGrath, Daniel S., Sherry, Simon B., Stewart, Sherry H., Mushquash, Aislin R., Allen, Stephanie L., Nealis, Logan J., Sherry, Dayna L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Female; Human; Major Depression; Male; Mental depression; Perfectionism; Personality traits; Self-Criticism; Studies; Symptoms
• ISSN: 0008-400X; 1879-2669
• DOI: 10.1037/a0027764

Is self-critical perfectionism an antecedent of depressive symptoms, a consequence of depressive symptoms, or both? In the present study, self-critical perfectionism (i.e., harsh criticism of one's actions, negative reactions to perceived failures, and extreme concerns over others' evaluations) and depressive symptoms were conceptualised as a unified, interlocking syndrome wherein self-critical perfectionism and depressive symptoms reciprocally influence each other over time. This reciprocal relations model was tested in 240 undergraduates studied using a four-wave, 4-week longitudinal design. As hypothesised, reciprocal relations were observed between self-critical perfectionism and depressive symptoms, with self-critical perfectionism predicting changes in depressive symptoms and vice versa. Results suggest persons high in self-critical perfectionism may find themselves entangled in an escalating pattern where self-critical perfectionism both leads to, and results from, depressive symptoms. Research focused exclusively on unidirectional relations between self-critical perfectionism and depressive symptoms may ignore information critical to accurately understanding self-critical perfectionism, depressive symptoms, and their interrelation. Instead of assuming unidirectional relations between self-critical perfectionism and depressive symptoms, researchers are encouraged to test for reciprocal relations between these two variables. Le perfectionnisme autocritique est-il un antécédent de symptômes dépressifs, une conséquence de symptômes dépressifs ou les deux ? Dans la présente étude, le perfectionnisme autocritique (c.-à-d., critique sévère de ses actions, réactions négatives aux perceptions d'échec et soucis extrêmes à propos de l'évaluation des autres) et les symptômes dépressifs ont été conceptualisés comme étant un syndrome unifié et emboité à l'intérieur duquel le perfectionnisme autocritique et les symptômes dépressifs s'influencent de façon réciproque au fil du temps. Ce modèle de relations réciproques a été testé auprès de 240 étudiants de premier cycle universitaire à l'aide d'un paradigme longitudinal de 4 semaines, en quatre vagues. Conformément aux hypothèses, des relations réciproques ont été observées entre le perfectionnisme autocritique et les symptômes dépressifs, le perfectionnisme autocritique prédisant les changements dans les symptômes dépressifs et vice versa. Les résultats suggèrent que les personnes avec un perfectionnisme autocriti