Abstract
Maladaptive perfectionism (i.e., a perceived discrepancy between one's standards and performance) has proven to be a significant risk factor for depression. The existential model of perfectionism and depressive symptoms (EMPDS) highlights the existential component of viewing life experiences as meaningless is a significant intervening variable in the model. Drawing on the EMPDS, the present study examined the moderating role of meaning in life between discrepancy and depression in a sample of college students (N = 339). Moderation analyses indicated that a positive association between discrepancy and depression was stronger when perfectionists actively sought for meaning. Having a sense of meaning and purpose was not found to play a significant role in these associations. Implications for research on perfectionism and the meaning in life and future research directions are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 25-29 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Personality and Individual Differences |
Volume | 98 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Aug 2016 |
Keywords
- Depression
- Meaning in life
- Moderation
- Perfectionism
- Search for meaning