TY - JOUR
T1 - Repetitive negative thinking mediates the association between perfectionism and psychological distress
AU - Macedo, A.
AU - Soares, M. J.
AU - Amaral, A. P.
AU - Nogueira, V.
AU - Madeira, N.
AU - Roque, C.
AU - Marques, M.
AU - Maia, B.
AU - Bos, S.
AU - Valente, J.
AU - Pereira, A. T.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014.
Copyright:
Copyright 2015 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - Our objective was to analyze the relationships between Repetitive negative thinking (RNT), perfectionism and psychological distress. Specifically we wanted to test if RNT mediates the relationship between perfectionism and psychological distress. 788 college students completed self-report questionnaires to evaluate perfectionism trait dimensions [Evaluative concerns (EC) and Positive strivings (PS)], RNT dimensions [Repetitive thinking (RT) and Cognitive interference and unproductivity (CIU)], perceived stress, and perceived support. Psychological distress was measured with the Profile of Mood States subscales: Depression (D), Tension-anxiety (TA), Anger-hostility (AH), Fatigue-inertia (FI) and Vigor-anxiety (VA). After controlling for perceived stress and support, perfectionism dimensions and RNT (particularly CIU) remained a significant predictors of psychological distress. CIU was a partial mediator of the relationship between EC and D, TA, AH, FI and VA and a full mediator of the relationship of PS with D and FI. Whereas the effect of negative perfectionism on emotional disturbances was potentiated by RNT, PS was only associated to it when high levels of RNT were also present. Showing that Positive striving effects on psychological distress may be a function of specific mediators, these results contribute to a better understanding of the nature of positive perfectionism.
AB - Our objective was to analyze the relationships between Repetitive negative thinking (RNT), perfectionism and psychological distress. Specifically we wanted to test if RNT mediates the relationship between perfectionism and psychological distress. 788 college students completed self-report questionnaires to evaluate perfectionism trait dimensions [Evaluative concerns (EC) and Positive strivings (PS)], RNT dimensions [Repetitive thinking (RT) and Cognitive interference and unproductivity (CIU)], perceived stress, and perceived support. Psychological distress was measured with the Profile of Mood States subscales: Depression (D), Tension-anxiety (TA), Anger-hostility (AH), Fatigue-inertia (FI) and Vigor-anxiety (VA). After controlling for perceived stress and support, perfectionism dimensions and RNT (particularly CIU) remained a significant predictors of psychological distress. CIU was a partial mediator of the relationship between EC and D, TA, AH, FI and VA and a full mediator of the relationship of PS with D and FI. Whereas the effect of negative perfectionism on emotional disturbances was potentiated by RNT, PS was only associated to it when high levels of RNT were also present. Showing that Positive striving effects on psychological distress may be a function of specific mediators, these results contribute to a better understanding of the nature of positive perfectionism.
KW - Perfectionism
KW - Psychological distress
KW - Repetitive negative thinking
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84907856122&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.paid.2014.08.024
DO - 10.1016/j.paid.2014.08.024
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84907856122
SN - 0191-8869
VL - 72
SP - 220
EP - 224
JO - Personality and Individual Differences
JF - Personality and Individual Differences
ER -