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The relation between perfectionism and distress : daily stress. coping, and perceived social support as mediators and moderators

Although there has been increased understanding of the dynamics of intense perfectionism and self-criticism, studies need to address more directly the mechanisms or processes through which perfectionism has its ill effects. The present research examined the roles of daily stress, coping, and perceived social support in the relation between two different perfectionism dimensions and distress symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, negative affect, low positive affect). In two studies, confirmatory factor analysis supported the existence of two perfectionism factors, which were referred to as evaluative concerns perfectionism and personal standards perfectionism. In Study One, university students (136 men; 307 women) completed measures of perfectionism, hassles, coping, perceived social support, depression, and anxiety. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the measurement model used in this study. Structural equation modeling indicated that hassles, avoidant coping, and perceived social support were each unique mediators which together fully explained the strong relation between evaluative concerns perfectionism and distress. Personal standards perfectionism had a unique association with active coping only. Hassles and social support also moderated the relation between both dimensions of perfectionism and distress. Study Two examined daily event appraisals, avoidant coping, and perceived social support as trait mediators in the relation between the evaluative concerns dimension of perfectionism and high negative affect and low positive affect. University students (66 men; 104 women) completed questionnaires at the end of the day for seven consecutive days. Trait influences were found in the daily reports of event appraisals, coping styles, and social support. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the construct validity of the perfectionism and aggregated daily measures. Structural equation modeling indicated that avoidant coping fully explained the relation between

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.37885
Date January 2001
CreatorsDunkley, David M.
ContributorsZuroff, David (advisor)
PublisherMcGill University
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Formatapplication/pdf
CoverageDoctor of Philosophy (Department of Psychology.)
RightsAll items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Relationalephsysno: 001844922, proquestno: NQ75627, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest.

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