Perfectionism as a mediator of psychological distress

Implications for addressing underlying vulnerabilities to the mental health of medical students

Bibliographic Data

ID21448535
AuthorsDiann Eley (0000-0001-7256-9325, The University of Queensland, corresponding author), Vikas Bansal (0000-0001-6047-5559, The University of Queensland), Janni Leung (0000-0001-5816-2959, The University of Queensland)
Year2020
Volume42
Issue11
Pages1301-1307
Publication date2020-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedical Teacher (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0142-159X • E-ISSN: 1466-187X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0142159x.2020.1805101
PMID32805157
OpenAlexW3075624353
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited45

OBJECTIVE: Medical students have personalities that are often shown to be perfectionistic. Perfectionism can manifest as maladaptive and lead to psychological distress. This study examined the mediating role of perfectionism on the association between personality trait profiles and levels of psychological distress. METHODS: First-year medical students completed a questionnaire containing measures of personality, perfectionism (Concern over Mistakes: CoM), stress, anxiety and depression. Latent profile analysis classified students based on their personality traits and identified a profile vulnerable to psychological distress. Structural equation models examined the mediation effects of perfectionism on the relationship between the vulnerable personality profile and distress. RESULTS: The sample totalled 376 (84% response). The vulnerable personality profile was highest in Harm Avoidance, lowest in Self-Directedness, and significantly correlated with the highest Perfectionism-CoM. High Perfectionism-CoM was associated with the highest levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Perfectionism-CoM was a significant mediator for the relationship between personality and higher levels of psychological distress. CONCLUSION: Certain personality profiles are predisposed to psychological distress such as anxiety, stress and depression. Perfectionism, as a mediator between personality and psychological distress, may be a target strategy to help increase students' self-acceptance, and self-awareness of their perfectionistic tendencies and lower their vulnerability to poor mental health

Anxiety · Big Five personality traits · Distress · Mediation · Mental health · Perfectionism (psychology) · Personality · Psychiatry · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Clinical Psychology · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology

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